Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity typically seen in males and girls. This makes them more likely to be overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Stereotypes of gender can contribute to this caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off walls of the school. While this is one type of ADHD, women and girls also experience the disorder in this type. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are typically more difficult to spot than those of boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
Women with ADHD may exhibit unpredictable behavior that makes it difficult to take a step back and think before they act. They might not be attentive when others are talking, and they may have difficulty adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD have sensitivity to rejection which is a heightened emotional response to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and difficulties in friendships with peers This can make it hard for women to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at various times during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritability and also difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and attention. It can also calm stress and anxiety that are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists, and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. In some instances, a health care provider may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Girls and women with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed, even when symptoms are extreme. They can't keep up in the classroom and their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and their work performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their problems or trying to convince themselves that they're not affected these issues.
Gender bias can also play an important role in causing missed or incorrect diagnosis. If a boy exhibits an impulsive or hyperactive behavior and is more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. Conversely girls who display inattention symptoms can be written off as space cases, dreamy or silly.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You may forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments or struggle to stay focused during meetings or classroom lectures. You don't have time to wait around and constantly interrupt others when you are talking. Your memory is shaky and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You have difficulty following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it difficult for you to pay attention at work or at home, and can make it more difficult to maintain friendships or achieve goals in life.
Getting plenty of exercise can help control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, that can boost your mood and focus. Regular exercise can also aid in burning extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptoms- which are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Teens and women with ADHD tend to experience more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than hyperactivity or impulsivity. Female gender roles make it harder for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, so they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and not declare their symptoms of ADHD. 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 reaction to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you react quickly when you notice something amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms including jitteriness, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks) as well as fear of certain objects or situations (where you are incredibly terrified of certain things or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women with ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They might miss important dates and appointments, arrive at the incorrect time or place or be so distracted by their work that they fail to notice social interactions. This can make them appear distant, unfocused, or inconsiderate to others. Good sleep habits will help you avoid time blindness. So try to maintain adults with adhd symptoms established bedtime and do something relaxing like reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may struggle to keep on top of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their office, home, and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women may also struggle to express themselves in social situations. They can be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or shout things out before considering the consequences. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD can change throughout the day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycles which can worsen ADHD. These symptoms can be the reason why many women with ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are associated with ADHD in females and males, there is also a bias against diagnosing women suffering from the disorder. 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 using medication and other strategies for treatment. They can be successful in school, work and in their private lives with the right help. Medication can help improve concentration and help with everyday difficulties. Therapy for behavior and apps for smartphones can also be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have problems with impulse control. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and thinks about the consequences isn't as efficient. This results in a tendency to make decisions or act without considering the potential outcome, which can have negative effects. For instance, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or cause damage to relationships. It might also lead to sexually risky behaviors.
Someone suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies to help them manage their issues with controlling impulses. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself with food are all possible. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also cause problems.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may struggle to recognize the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may find it difficult to articulate their issues, so they conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Additionally women and girls with ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than males or females. They may be more numb and are more likely to be the victim of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, like depression. These factors could be the reason for girls and women with ADHD are misdiagnosed more frequently than boys or men.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects a lot of people, despite the increased awareness. It is more common in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when students are trying to balance school and work. It is crucial for parents and educators to be aware that a person they know has ADHD to ensure that they get the help she needs.