Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, in contrast to the impulsivity and hyperactivity often seen in males and girls. This makes them more easily overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can contribute to this caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be worsened by hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD the first image many people have is of an overactive boy who bounces off the walls during class. Although this is one form of ADHD, women and girls also experience the disorder in this type. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are more difficult to detect than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In certain instances women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to stop and consider their actions prior to acting. They may not be able to listen when other people are talking and they may have trouble following instructions or finishing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family members, friends, romantic partners and colleagues.
Many women with ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly if she has low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
Signs of ADHD in women can flare up at various times during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability, mood swings and difficulty in concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through eating, exercise and sleep habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also calm stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. Getting enough sleep and taking breaks from activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from tools like checklists or planners, as well as a post-it note to keep track of their tasks. In some cases, a health care provider can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are serious women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't identified. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes can be messy, and they have difficulties with relationships and performance. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or claiming that they are not affected.
Gender bias can also play an important role in causing missed or inaccurate diagnoses. If a boy exhibits an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, he's more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. Conversely girls who display inattention symptoms can be written off as space cases, dreamy or ditzy.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in many ways: You miss appointments, fail to adhere to promises, and find it difficult to concentrate in meetings or classroom lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and keep interrupting others while you talk. Your memory is weak and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration, such as homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also become more severe during hormonal changes like menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause (the period leading up to menopausal). It can be difficult to focus on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or meet the goals of life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Regular exercise can help you burn extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptomsthat are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to have more anxiety-related symptoms and mood disorders than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it harder for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and unable to report their ADHD symptoms. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and danger. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's beneficial because it helps you stay alert to possible dangers and helps you react quickly when something goes amiss. In reality, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. It can also cause rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder can be diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks), fear of certain objects or situations (where you are incredibly scared of certain objects or events) and obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be so absorbed in their tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear distant, uncaring or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can prevent time blindness and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a set bedtime and do something that is relaxing before you go to bed, such as reading, listening to music or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time staying organized. They may have difficulty to keep the track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their forgetfulness and disorganization can make it challenging to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women may also have difficulty speaking their thoughts in social situations. They may be impulsive and impatient and can cause them to interrupt others or shout things out without considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
The symptoms of ADHD can change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest at the time of ovulation, and during menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptom variations may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved in ADHD in males and females, there is also a tendency to not diagnose women suffering from the condition. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
When women have a clear diagnosis of ADHD they can learn to manage their symptoms with the help of medication and other strategies for treatment. They can find success in school, work and in their private lives if they have the right support. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and help them cope with everyday challenges, while the use of behavioral therapy and other specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay in the forefront of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and thinks about consequences, doesn't function similarly. This leads to a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the possible outcome, which can have negative effects. Impulsive behavior can lead to problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to risky behaviors such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to control impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to comfort themselves. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also cause issues.
Women and girls with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may be unable to explain their issues to their parents or teachers, so they try to hide their struggles. This can make it harder for people to notice their symptoms and delay a diagnosis.
add symptoms and females with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men or boys. They might be more distracted and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, for example depression. These factors can contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increased awareness. It's most prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to meet the demands of their jobs or schools. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD in order to receive the assistance she requires.