Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to show inattention symptoms, as opposed to the impulsivity and hyperactivity that are more prevalent in both men and boys. This makes them more easily missed and not properly diagnosed.
Stereotypes of gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal symptoms can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD, the first thought many people have is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls in class. This is a form of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are more difficult to detect than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In certain instances women with ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to think about their actions before committing. They might not be attentive when people are talking, and they may have trouble following directions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to irritability and miscommunications with family friends, romantic partners and friends and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of friendships with peers which can make it hard for women to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms in women can manifest at different times, such as during pregnancy, menstrual cycles and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings and irritability and also difficulty with concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters which boost attention and concentration. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to track their tasks. In some cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD often aren't diagnosed until symptoms are severe. They struggle to keep up at school, their homes can be messy, and they face trouble with relationships and work performance. They may try to compensate for their symptoms by hiding them or claiming that they're not affected.
Gender bias can play a part in missed or inaccurate diagnoses. For example, when a boy displays an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to get assessed for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who exhibit inattention can be dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space-related.
The inattention symptom of adhd can show up in many ways: You miss appointments, fail to keep promises and are unable to stay focused in class or meetings. You have trouble waiting your turn when talking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a weak memory and frequently lose things or forget their location. You have difficulty following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration such as homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also become more severe when hormonal changes take place like during pregnancy, menstruation, or perimenopause. This makes it harder to focus at work or at home, and can make it harder to keep friends or reach goals in life.
add symptoms in adults can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, that can boost your concentration and mood. Additionally, regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and ease anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they have issues due to gender role expectations. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by concealing other behaviors. This can lead women and girls to be misdiagnosed, and therefore not declare 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 danger and stress. It can be debilitating and overwhelming but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you react quickly when you notice something amiss. In reality, anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, including sweating and jitteriness. It can also cause rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. People who experience frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you experience frequent, unplanned panic attacks) as well as fear of certain objects or situations (where you are intensely afraid of certain objects or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong location at the incorrect time, or be too distracted by their work that they miss social interactions. This can make them seem aloof, inconsiderate, or unfocused to others. Good sleep habits can help prevent time blindness, so try to stick to a regular bedtime and do something relaxing before you go to bed, such as listening to music, reading, or meditation.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD have a hard time being organized. They may struggle to keep the track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their car, home and office might be cluttered, and their purses filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, and tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it difficult to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women also have a tendency to have a difficult time expressing their opinions in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things without thinking about the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may vary from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest during ovulation and during menstruation which can cause ADHD. These symptom changes may be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
In addition to the differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved in ADHD in males and females as well as the stigma against diagnosing women with 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 with medication and other treatment methods. With the right guidance they can be successful in their work, school and in their personal lives. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and assist them to cope with every day challenges, and special smartphone apps are additional tools to help them stay on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have problems with impulse control. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences isn't working as well. This could lead to the tendency of people to make decisions or speak words without considering the potential consequences, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can lead to financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead dangerous behaviors like sexual.
Someone suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies that help them deal with their difficulties with controlling their impulses. This could include self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs or using food as a way to comfort themselves. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble recognizing an issue in their behavior. They may find it hard to articulate their issues and so hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their problems and delay a diagnosis.
Girls and women with ADHD often present with different symptoms than males or females. They might be less attentive and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders such as depression. These factors are the reason that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
While awareness of ADHD has increased, it's still a disorder that affects millions of people. It is more common in the adolescent years and early adulthood, when students are trying to balance school and work. It is crucial for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a person they know is suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she requires.