Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, in contrast to the hyperactivity and impulsivity more typically observed in men and boys. This makes them more prone to being overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes of gender can contribute to this caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off walls of the school. 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 in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD can exhibit impulsive behavior that makes it difficult to stop and think before they act. They may not be able to hear to others when they are speaking, and may be unable to follow instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family, friends and romantic partners and coworkers.
attention deficit disorder symptoms adults with ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to cope, especially when she is self-conscious or difficulty in peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms for women can be present at different times, such as during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability, mood swings and problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. A good night's sleep and frequent breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists, and post-it notes to track tasks can be helpful for many people with ADHD. In some instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD often aren't diagnosed until symptoms are extreme. They struggle to stay on top of the classroom, their homes are messy and they struggle with relationships and work performance. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or convincing themselves that they're not affected.
Gender bias can play a role in missed or misdiagnoses. For example, when boys exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms and signs, they are more likely to get diagnosed and treated. In contrast girls who display inattention symptoms could be dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
The symptoms of inattention that are associated with adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You miss appointments, fail to adhere to promises, and find it difficult to concentrate in meetings or classroom lectures. You have a hard time waiting for your turn to speak with others and can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a weak memory and are often lost items or forget their location. You are unable to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, like homework or chores.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur like during pregnancy, menstruation, or perimenopausal. It is difficult to pay attention to the demands of work or at home, and may make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach the goals of life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can improve your mood and improve your focus. Plus, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and ease anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common in women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to have more anxiety and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to admit that they struggle because of gender role expectations. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by hiding other behavior. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed, and therefore not declare 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 stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and painful, but it's actually a good thing: it helps you stay alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly when something is not right. However, anxiety can trigger a myriad of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. It can also cause a rapid heartbeat or palpitations. People who experience frequent or severe anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. This is a type of panic disorder in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected panic attacks; phobias, which involve an intense fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors control your life and separation anxiety disorder, in which you are afraid of being away from your home or family.
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They might forget important dates and appointments, show up at an wrong time or location, or become so distracted by their work that they forget social interactions. This can make them seem distant, uncaring or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can help you avoid time blindness. So make sure you have your bedtime routine and then do something relaxing such as listening to music, reading or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may struggle to keep track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their home, office, and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it difficult for them to establish and maintain work and personal relationships.
Women also have trouble communicating what they mean in social situations. They can be impatient and impulsive, causing them to interrupt others or blurt things out before considering the consequences. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women can vary from day to day because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can worsen ADHD. These symptom changes may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
In addition to the differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved with ADHD for females and males 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.
If women have a definitive diagnosis of ADHD, they can learn to manage their symptoms using medications and other treatment strategies. With the right guidance they can be successful in school, at work as well as in their personal lives. Medication can help improve concentration and assist with everyday difficulties. Behavioral therapy and specialized applications for smartphones can be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have issues with controlling their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning similarly. This results in a tendency to do or say things without considering the potential consequences, which can result in negative consequences. For instance, an impulsive behaviour might lead to financial problems or cause damage to relationships. It could cause dangerous sexual behavior.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies that help them manage their difficulties with controlling their impulses. This could include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or using food as a way to soothe themselves. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to issues.
Girls and women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the signs of a problem with their behavior. They might be unable to explain their issues to their teachers or parents, so they try to conceal their issues. This makes it difficult for people to identify their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to show their symptoms differently than men or boys. They might be less attentive and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders such as depression. These factors contribute to the fact that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It is more common in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling school or work. It's important for educators and parents to be aware of the possibility that a girl or woman they know has ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.