Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often seen in males and girls. This means they are more likely to be overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes play a role in the way that caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or who seem dreamy and withdrawn are simply "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during 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 most people think of is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. Although this is one form of ADHD however, girls and women also suffer from the disorder in this form. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often harder to identify than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD may exhibit an impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to think and stop before deciding to act. They might not be attentive when other people are talking and they may have difficulty following instructions or finishing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family or friends, as well as romantic partners as well as colleagues.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman with ADHD to manage, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at different times during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability and mood swings, as well as difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus. It also helps ease stress and anxiety which are common among women with ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. In some cases, health care providers can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even if the symptoms are severe. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes may be messy, and they have difficulties with relationships and performance. They might try to make up for it by hiding their problems or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected their symptoms.
Gender bias can also play a part in missed or incorrect diagnoses. If adhd symptom adult or impulsive behavior they are more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. Girls who exhibit inattention are often dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space-related.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can manifest in many ways: You miss appointments, fail to follow through on promises and have trouble staying focused in class or meetings. You aren't able to wait for your turn and you constantly interrupt other people when you are talking. You have a poor memory and frequently lose things or forget their location. You have difficulty following simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration like homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also worsen when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). It is difficult to concentrate on work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Plus, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and can ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to experience more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it harder for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, and they are more likely to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This can lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting of women and girls. 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 feel overwhelming and painful, but it's actually an excellent thing because it keeps you aware of the possibility of danger and allows you to react quickly when something goes suspicious. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms including jitteriness, sweating, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). People who suffer from frequent, severe, or disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. 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 extremely scared of certain objects or events) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they miss social interactions. This can make them appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to other people. A good night's sleep can help you avoid time blindness. So make sure you have an established bedtime and then do something relaxing such as listening to music, reading or meditating prior to when you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may have difficulty to keep track of their appointments, schedules and possessions. Their car, home and office might be cluttered and their handbags filled with receipts, 17 different chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it challenging for them to establish and maintain work and personal relationships.
Women may also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. They can be impulsive and impatient which causes them to interrupt others or blurt things out without thinking about the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can increase ADHD symptoms. These symptom changes may be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the biological differences between males 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 by taking medication and other methods of treatment. With the right support they can succeed at school, work as well as in their personal lives. Medication can help improve concentration and help with everyday problems. Therapy for behavior and applications for smartphones can be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from 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 can result in an inability to do or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative effects. Impulsive behavior can result in relationships that are damaged. It might cause sexually risky behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of strategies to assist them in overcoming their issues with controlling impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs or using food as a way to comfort themselves. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can cause problems.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may struggle to recognize the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may be unable to explain their symptoms to their teachers or parents, so they try to conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their problems and delay a diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to show their symptoms in a different way than boys or men. They may be less attentive, and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors can contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people, despite increasing awareness. It's more prevalent in the adolescent years and early adulthood, when people are juggling school and work. It's important for parents and educators to be aware that a child or woman they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.