Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity often observed in men and boys. This makes them more prone to being overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that quiet or dreamy girls are simply "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal symptoms can trigger ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD the first image many people have is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and girls are usually more difficult to identify than those of boys. This leads to the disorder being misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In certain instances, women who suffer from ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to stop and consider their actions prior to acting. They may not listen well when people are talking, and they may have difficulty following instructions or finishing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends, and colleagues.
Many women with ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to cope, particularly in the case of low self-esteem or has difficulty forming relationships with peers.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, including during pregnancy, menstrual cycles and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause irritability, mood swings and problems with concentration.
Diet, exercise 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 stress and anxiety, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from work can also help with ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial for many people with ADHD. In some cases the health professional can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed until symptoms are severe. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes can be messy, and they have issues with relationships and performance. They might try to make up for their problems by avoiding them or claiming that they are not affected.
Gender bias can play a part in missed or incorrect diagnosis. If a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior and is more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. On the other hand girls who display inattention symptoms can be written off as space cases, dreamy or uninteresting.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can show up in many ways: You don't remember appointments, fail to adhere to promises, and have trouble staying focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others while you talk. You have a poor memory and often lose things or forget where they are. You have difficulty following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration like homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms (the run-up to menopause). It can be difficult to concentrate on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve life goals.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Plus, regular exercise helps you shed excess energy and reduce anxiety or depression symptoms that are common in women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often experience more anxiety and mood symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they have issues due to gender role expectations. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or 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 be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a great thing. It keeps you aware of danger and allows you to react quickly if there is something not right. However, signs of adult adhd can trigger a range of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. It can also trigger rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. People who experience frequent, severe, or disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This is a type of panic disorder in which you experience frequent, sudden anxiety attacks; phobias that are characterized by a fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder where irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors dominate your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from home or your family.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They can miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the wrong time, or get too distracted by their work that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them seem uncaring, uninterested, or unfocused to others. Good sleeping habits can help you avoid time blindness. Therefore try to maintain an established bedtime and do something relaxing like reading, listening music or meditating prior to when you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time staying organized. They may have a hard to keep track of their appointments, schedules, and belongings. Their home, car and office might be cluttered, and their purses full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work as well as in their private lives.
Women can also find it difficult to express themselves in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can make them interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ between days because of hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycle which can worsen ADHD. These changes in symptom severity could be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the differences in the biology between men and women in regards to 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 medications and other treatments. With the right help they can be successful at school, work as well as in their personal lives. Medication can provide a significant boost in concentration and assist them to cope with every day challenges, and the use of behavioral therapy and other specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD tend to be unable to control their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and considers consequences, isn't functioning as well. This can lead to an inability to act or say things without considering the possible consequences, which can have negative consequences. For instance, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or damage relationships. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a range of coping strategies that assist them in overcoming their difficulties with controlling their impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating foods are all possible. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can cause issues.
Girls and women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may find it hard to explain their symptoms and therefore, they may cover up their problems. This can make it difficult for people to understand their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Women and girls with ADHD typically have different symptoms than males or females. They may be less attentive, and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders such as depression. These factors could be the reason for women and girls with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than men or boys.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent during the early years of adulthood and adolescence when students are trying to balance school or work. It's crucial for educators and parents to be aware that a person they know has ADHD to ensure that they get the help she needs.