Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, in contrast to the impulsivity and hyperactivity typically seen in males and girls. This makes them more vulnerable to being overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes of gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD the first image many people have is of the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. Although this is one form of ADHD females and girls also suffer from the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in women and girls can be harder to spot than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed and not treated.
Women with ADHD may exhibit an impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to think and stop before acting. They may not be able to hear well when other people are talking, and they may have difficulty following instructions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends, and colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to cope, especially in the case of low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, such as during pregnancy, menstrual cycles and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger anxiety, mood swings, and problems with concentration.
Some girls and women who have ADHD find it easier to control their symptoms with eating, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from your activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to keep track of their activities. In some cases the health professional can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Even when symptoms are severe, women and girls with inattentive ADHD aren't diagnosed. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes may be messy, and they experience issues with relationships and performance. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or trying to convince themselves that they're not affected these issues.
Gender bias can also play a part in missed or incorrect diagnosis. When a boy exhibits hyperactive or impulsive behaviors and is more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. Girls who exhibit inattention can be dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space cases.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can show up in many ways: You forget appointments, don't keep promises and are unable to stay focused in class or meetings. You have trouble waiting your turn when talking with others and can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a weak memory and are often lost items 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 during hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). It can be difficult to concentrate on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Getting plenty of exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and focus. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy and ease 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 impulsivity or hyperactivity. Female gender roles make it more difficult for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, and they are more likely to cover up ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This can lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting among 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 reaction to stress and danger. It can be debilitating and overwhelming but it's a great thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you react quickly if something is amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms including jitteriness, sweating, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in people suffering from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks) and fears (where you are extremely terrified of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behavior) and separation anxiety disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They may forget important dates and appointments, arrive at an wrong time or location or be so distracted by their work that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear distant, unfocused, or inconsiderate to others. Good sleeping habits can help keep you from becoming time blind so make sure you stick to a set bedtime and do something relaxing before you go to bed, such as listening to music, reading or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may have a hard time keeping track of their appointments, schedules, and personal belongings. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their purses could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their disorganization and forgetfulness can make it difficult for them to maintain and develop relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women can also find it difficult to express themselves in social settings. Their impatience and impulsiveness could cause them to interrupt others or say things without thinking about the implications. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ between days due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can be the reason that many women with ADHD are misdiagnosed.
There is symptoms of adhd adult against diagnosing females with ADHD as well as the biological differences between males and women in regards to brain structure and chemical. 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 using medication and other treatment methods. With the right help, they can achieve success at school, work and in their private lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help them overcome every day challenges, and behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have problems with control of their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and considers consequences doesn't work as well. This results in a tendency to make decisions or act without considering the potential result, which could have negative effects. For instance, an impulsive behaviour could cause financial problems or harm relationships. It could also lead to risky behaviors such as sexual.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of strategies to help them manage their difficulty with impulse control. Self-medicating using alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself by eating food are all options. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can also cause trouble.
Girls and women with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may find it difficult to articulate their issues, so they hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to identify their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Additionally women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms differently than men or boys. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, like depression. These factors are the reason that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
While awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's particularly prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their work or school. Parents and teachers must be aware that their child or granddaughter may be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.