Female Symptoms of ADHD
Teens and women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, not the impulsivity and hyperactivity that are more prevalent in both men and boys. This makes them more easily overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that quiet or dreamy girls are simply "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is ADHD the first image many people have is a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls during class. While this is one type of ADHD females and girls also experience 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 or left untreated.
symptoms of add suffering from ADHD can exhibit an impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to take a step back and think before they act. They may not listen well when others are talking, and they may have difficulty following directions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. When combined with low self-esteem and difficulties in social relationships, this can make it hard for a woman to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at various times during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause anxiety, mood swings, and trouble with concentration.
i thought about this and women who have ADHD have a better chance to manage their symptoms through diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost attention and concentration. It can also calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women with ADHD. A good night's sleep and frequent breaks can also help 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 instances the health professional can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women with inattentive ADHD are often not diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They aren't able to keep up with classes, their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and work performance. They may attempt to compensate for their symptoms by hiding them or pretending that they're not affected.
Gender bias can play a role in misdiagnosis or omissions. For example, when boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to be assessed for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention are often dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space-related.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You don't remember appointments, don't adhere to promises, and are unable to stay focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You don't have time to wait around and you constantly interrupt other people while you talk. Your memory is weak and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur like during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult to focus at work or at home, and makes it harder to maintain friendships or achieve goals in your life.
Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, which can improve your focus and mood. Plus, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and can ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Female gender roles make it difficult for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, so they tend to cover up ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This can cause women and girls to be misdiagnosed and unable to declare their ADHD symptoms. 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 helps you react quickly if something is not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms including sweating, jitteriness, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. This includes panic disorder, in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected panic attacks; phobias that are characterized by a fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior control your life as well as separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from your home or family.
Women suffering from ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They might forget important dates and appointments, show up at an incorrect time or location, or become so distracted by their tasks that they forget social interactions. This can make them seem distant, uncaring, or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can ensure that you don't suffer from time blindness. Therefore make sure you have an established bedtime and take time to do something relaxing, such as reading, listening music or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD have a difficult time being organized. They may have a difficult to keep track of their appointments, schedules, and possessions. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their forgetfulness and disorganization can make it difficult for them to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women also have trouble speaking their thoughts in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could make them interrupt others or utter things before thinking through the consequences. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women can vary from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycles which can worsen ADHD. These symptoms could be why many women with ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved with ADHD in males and females, there is also a tendency to not diagnose women with 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 manage their symptoms using medications and other treatment strategies. With the right guidance, they can achieve success in school, at work and in their private lives. Medication can help improve concentration and assist with everyday challenges. Behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone applications can also help.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have issues with control of their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and considers consequences, isn't functioning similarly. This leads to a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the possible result, which could have negative effects. Impulsive behavior can result in problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to control their impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself with food are all possible. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.
Women and girls with ADHD may also struggle to recognize that they are having issues with their behavior. They might struggle to explain their issues to their parents or teachers, so they try to hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They may be less attentive and suffer from depression or anxiety like depression. These factors could contribute to the fact girls and women with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than men or boys.
While awareness of ADHD has increased however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's especially common in adolescence and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to meet the demands of their work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.