Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more typically seen in males and girls. This makes them more prone to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes are a factor as well, since caregivers may think that girls who are quiet or who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD, the first thought many people have is a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. While this is a type of ADHD, women and girls also suffer from the disorder in this form. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are often harder to detect than in boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to think and stop before deciding to act. They might not be able to hear well when other people are speaking, and could have trouble following instructions or performing tasks. These issues can lead to irritability and miscommunications with family, friends and romantic partners and coworkers.
female adhd symptoms with ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. When combined with low self-esteem and difficulties in peer relationships which can make it hard for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms 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 mood swings and irritation and may cause problems in concentrating.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. Getting enough sleep and taking breaks from work can also help with ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from using tools like checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to track their tasks. In some instances healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They struggle to stay on top of the classroom, their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and their work performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their symptoms or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected their symptoms.
Gender bias can also be a factor in misdiagnosis or omissions. For instance, if boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior and signs, they are more likely to get diagnosed and treated. Girls who display inattention are often dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You miss appointments, fail to follow through on promises and find it difficult to concentrate in class or meetings. You don't have time to wait around and keep interrupting others when you're talking. You have a weak memory and are often lost items or forget their location. You struggle to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require focus, like homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). It can be difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can improve your focus and mood. Regular exercise can help you burn extra energy and reduce depression or anxiety symptoms -that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD typically experience more anxiety and mood symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Gender role expectations make it difficult for girls to admit that they're struggling, which is why they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This can cause women and girls to be misdiagnosed and not be able 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 the natural reaction to danger and stress. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's an excellent thing because it keeps you alert to possible dangers and helps you respond quickly when something is suspicious. In reality anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, including jitteriness and sweating. It may also trigger an increase in heart rate, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in people suffering from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. This includes panic disorder, where you experience frequent, sudden anxiety attacks; phobias which involve an intense fear of particular objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors control your life as well as separation anxiety disorder, in which you fear being away from your home or your family.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the wrong time, or get so absorbed in their tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can cause them to appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to others. Good sleeping habits can aid in avoiding time blindness. Therefore make sure you have your bedtime routine and then do something relaxing such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time keeping their schedules in order. They may have a difficult time keeping track of their appointments, schedules, and belongings. Their car, home, and office may be messy and their bags full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult to maintain relationships at work as well as in their private lives.
Women can also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impulsiveness and impatience can make them interrupt others or blurt out things without thinking about the consequences. These struggles with filtering their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ from day to day because of hormonal fluctuations. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can be the reason for why 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 as well as the 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.
Women suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms using medications and other treatments. They can find success at work, school as well as in their personal lives if they have the right support. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and aid in everyday problems. Behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone applications can also help.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to control their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, doesn't function as well. This results in a tendency to make decisions or act without thinking about the possible result, which could have negative effects. Impulsive behavior can result in relationships that are damaged. It could also lead to dangerous behaviors like sexual.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to manage their impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or eating food as a method to relax. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also lead to issues.
Women and girls with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may find it hard to explain their problems, so they hide their struggles. This makes it more difficult for people to notice their symptoms and delay the diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women with ADHD tend to display their symptoms differently than men or boys. They might be less attentive and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors may cause women and girls with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than boys or men.
While awareness of ADHD has improved however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent in early adulthood and adolescence, when people are juggling school or work. It is crucial for teachers and parents to be aware that a girl or woman they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.