Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, rather than the hyperactivity and impulsivity which are more common in boys and men. This makes them more easily overlooked and often misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor in the way that caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or who appear to be shy and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a child who flies off the walls at school. 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 results in the disorder being misdiagnosed or going untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD can exhibit an impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to stop and think before they act. They may not be able to hear well when others are speaking, and could have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and misunderstandings with family or friends, as well as romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD have sensitivity to rejection which is a heightened emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. In combination with low self-esteem, and difficulties in friendships with peers which can make it difficult for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at different periods during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritability and may cause problems in concentrating.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to track their activities. In some instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often aren't diagnosed, even when symptoms are severe. They aren't able to keep up with classes, their homes are messy and they have trouble with relationships and their work performance. add symptoms in women may attempt to compensate for their issues by denying them or pretending that they are not affected.
Gender bias also can be a factor in misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses. When a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior and is more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. In contrast girls who display inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or uninteresting.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You might forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments, or have difficulty staying focused during classroom lectures. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others and can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is shaky and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You are unable to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as chores or homework.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult to focus at work or at home, and it can make it harder to maintain friendships or achieve goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, that can boost your focus and mood. Regular exercise can aid in burning extra energy and reduce depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Teens and women with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than hyperactivity or impulsivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle due to gender roles. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by avoiding other behaviors. This can cause women and girls to be misdiagnosed and unable to report 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 feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's beneficial because it keeps you alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly when something is amiss. However, anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, like jitteriness and sweating. It can also trigger an increase in heart rate, or palpitations. People who experience frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This includes panic disorder, in which you have recurring, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias that are characterized by a fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors control your life and separation anxiety disorder, in which you fear being away from home or family.
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with "time blindness". They may miss important dates and appointments, arrive at an incorrect time or location or get so absorbed by their tasks that they fail to notice social interactions. This can cause them to appear distant, unfocused or inconsiderate of others. Good sleeping habits can help prevent time blindness and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular bedtime and do something relaxing before you go to bed, such as reading, listening to music or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may find it difficult to keep on top of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their car, home and office could be cluttered and their handbags filled with receipts, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their disorganization and forgetfulness can make it difficult for them to maintain and develop relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. Their impulsiveness and impatience can cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the implications. The struggle to filter their thoughts could lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD can change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For content are at their lowest at the time of ovulation, and during the menstrual cycle which can increase ADHD symptoms. These symptom variations may be the reason for why many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
There is a stigma 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 with ADHD can manage their symptoms using medications and other treatments. They can achieve success in school, work and in their private lives with the right help. The use of medication can give a substantial boost in concentration and assist them to better handle everyday challenges, while special smartphone apps are additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically have issues with controlling their impulses. It's because the part the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning as well. This could lead to a tendency for people to make decisions or speak words without considering the potential consequences, which could result in negative effects. For instance, an impulsive behaviour might lead to financial problems or harm relationships. It can also lead to risky sexual behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping strategies to help them overcome their inability to control their impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself by eating food are all options. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to could also lead to trouble.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty to acknowledge that they are having issues with their behavior. They may have difficulty to explain their symptoms and therefore, they may conceal their issues. This can make it harder for people to recognize their symptoms and delay the diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms in a different way than boys or men. female add symptoms may be less attentive and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has improved, it's still a disorder that affects millions of people. It's most prevalent in adolescence and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their work or school. It's important for parents and educators to be aware of the possibility that a person they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can get the help she needs.