Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, in contrast to the impulsivity and hyperactivity often seen in males and girls. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor in the way that caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or who seem dreamy and withdrawn are just "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can trigger ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD the first impression most people think of is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. While this is a type of ADHD females and girls also experience the disorder in this type. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls can be harder to spot than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
In certain instances women who suffer from ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to think about their actions before committing. They may not be able to listen well when others are talking, and they may be unable to follow 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 suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a heightened emotional response to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of social relationships, this can make it difficult for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at various times during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations may cause irritability and mood swings and also difficulty in concentrating.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help some women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and attention. It also helps to ease anxiety and stress that are common among women with ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD. In certain instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even when symptoms are severe. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes can be messy, and they face difficulties with relationships and performance. They might try to make up for it by denying their symptoms or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can play a part in missed or incorrect diagnosis. If a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior and is more likely to be referred for diagnosis and therapy. Girls who exhibit inattention are often dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space cases.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You might miss appointments, fail to follow through with promises or find it difficult to stay focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. You're not able to remember things and frequently lose things or forget where they are. You are unable to follow simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks that require concentration like homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also be exacerbated due to hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms (the menopausal transition). It is difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Getting plenty of exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, that can boost your mood and focus. Regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and reduce depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Girls are often hesitant to admit they struggle because of gender role expectations. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behaviors. This could lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting in girls and women. 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 stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you respond quickly if something is not right. However, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including sweating, jitteriness, and an increased heart rate (palpitations). People who suffer from frequent, severe, or disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks) and phobias (where you are incredibly afraid of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Women with ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They might forget important dates and appointments, show up at an incorrect time or location, or become so distracted by their work that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear distant, uncaring, or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can keep you from becoming time blind and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular bedtime and do something relaxing before you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time keeping their schedules in order. They may struggle to keep on top of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their office, home, and car may be cluttered and their bags could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to maintain and build relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women can also have difficulty speaking their thoughts in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could make them interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the implications. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women can differ between days due to hormonal fluctuation. For instance estrogen levels are lower around ovulation and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These symptom variations may be the reason why many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD as well as the differences in the biology between men and women in terms of brain structure and chemicals. 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.
Women suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms using medication and other treatment methods. With the right guidance they can succeed at school, work and in their personal lives. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and assist them to better handle every day challenges, and 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 with ADHD tend to struggle with controlling their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs consequences doesn't work as well. This leads to a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the result, which could have negative consequences. For instance, impulsive behavior could cause financial problems or harm relationships. It can also lead reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to manage their impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs or eating food as a method to soothe themselves. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to issues.
Girls and women with ADHD may struggle to recognize the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may have difficulty to articulate their issues, so they hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to understand their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often present with different symptoms than males or females. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. add symptoms in adult women can contribute to the fact women and girls with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than men or boys.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It is more common in early adulthood and adolescence, when people are juggling work or school. It's important for educators and parents to be aware of the possibility that a girl or woman they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.