Female Symptoms of ADHD
Teens and women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, not the impulsivity and hyperactivity that are more common in both men and boys. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes play a role in the way that caregivers may assume that quiet girls or girls who appear to be shy and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who flies off the walls at school. This is a type of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women with ADHD are prone to an impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to stop and think before acting. They might not be attentive when people are talking, and they may have trouble following directions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family, friends and romantic partners, as well as coworkers.
Many women with ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to manage, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, including during pregnancy, menstruation and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause anxiety, mood swings, and trouble with concentration.
Diet, exercise and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It also helps to ease anxiety and stress, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from your activities can also help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists, and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people suffering from ADHD. In some cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are serious, women and girls with inattention ADHD aren't diagnosed. They struggle to stay on top of the classroom and their homes are messy and they struggle with relationships and work performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their problems or trying to convince themselves they're not affected by these issues.
Gender bias can also play in the absence or inaccurate diagnosis. For instance, if males exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior and signs, they are more likely to be assessed for diagnosis and treatment. In contrast girls who exhibit inattention symptoms can be written off as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
Inattention can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You might forget appointments, not follow through with promises, or have difficulty staying focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You can't wait your turn and you constantly interrupt other people when you're talking. Your memory is weak and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. adhd symptoms women have trouble following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require focus, such as chores or homework.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also become more severe due to hormonal changes like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms (the run-up to menopause). This makes it harder for you to pay attention at work or at home, and makes it harder to keep friendships intact or reach goals in your life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can help boost your concentration and mood. Plus, regular exercise helps you shed excess energy and reduce anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more prone to mood and anxiety symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Female gender roles make it more difficult for girls to admit that they're struggling, so they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This can cause girls and women to be misdiagnosed and unable to 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 response to stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you react quickly if something is not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms including jitteriness, sweating, and an increased heart rate (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you experience frequent, unplanned panic attacks) and phobias (where you are incredibly afraid of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women with ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They may miss important dates and appointments, arrive at the wrong time or location or get so absorbed by their work that they forget social interactions. This can make them appear aloof, unfocused or uncaring to others. Good sleep habits can help to prevent time blindness, so try to stick to a set bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may struggle to keep on top of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their home, office and car may be cluttered and their bags could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their disorganization and forgetfulness can make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. They may be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or shout things out before considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD can change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest during ovulation and menstrual cycles, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These symptom changes may be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the differences in biology 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.
If women are given a clear diagnosis of ADHD, they can learn to manage their symptoms by using medication and other strategies for treatment. They can be successful at work, school as well as in their personal lives if they have the right support. Medication can help improve concentration and aid in everyday difficulties. Behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone applications can also prove beneficial.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with control of their impulses. It's because the part the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, doesn't function in the same way. This results in a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the possible consequences, which can have negative effects. Instinctive behavior can cause problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to dangerous behaviors like sexual.
A person with ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies to aid them in their struggle to control their impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to relax. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to problems.
Women and girls with ADHD may have trouble recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their symptoms and so conceal their issues. This makes it difficult for people to understand their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often present with different symptoms than males or females. They may be more numb and are more likely to be the victim of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors are the reason that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people, despite increased awareness. It's especially common in adolescence and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to meet the demands of their jobs or schools. Parents and educators should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she requires.