Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity commonly seen in boys and men. This means they are more likely to be overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Gender stereotypes are a factor in the way that caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or who appear to be shy and dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle and perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a child who bounces off the walls at school. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often harder to detect than boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
In some instances, women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to stop and consider their actions prior to acting. They may not be able to hear well when other people are speaking, and may have difficulty following instructions or performing tasks. These issues can cause frustration and confusion in relationships with family members, friends, romantic partners and colleagues.
Many women with ADHD have sensitivity to rejection which is a heightened emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms for women can be present at different times, including during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritation and may cause problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and attention. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common among women with ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to track their tasks. In certain cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are severe women and girls suffering from inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They struggle to stay on top of school, their homes are messy and they have trouble with relationships and performance at work. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or convincing themselves that they're not affected.
Gender bias can be a factor in missed or misdiagnoses. For example, when boys exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms, they're more likely to be assessed for diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, girls who display inattentive symptoms can be written off as space cases, dreamy or uninteresting.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You may forget appointments, not keep promises, or have difficulty staying focused during 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 are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You are unable to follow simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as chores or homework.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also become more severe during hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms (the period leading up to menopausal). It can be difficult to focus on at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach the goals of life.
Regular exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can improve your mood and focus. Regular exercise can help you burn extra energy and reduce anxiety or depression symptomswhich are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often more prone to anxiety and mood symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Female gender roles make it harder for girls to admit that they're struggling, which is why they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This could 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 response to danger and stress. It can be a stressful and debilitating, but it's a good thing: it keeps you aware of potential danger and helps you respond quickly when something is not right. However, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms including sweating, jitteriness, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. This is a type of panic disorder in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias which involve an intense fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behavior control your life and separation anxiety disorder, in which you fear being away from home or family.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They may miss important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the wrong time, or become so absorbed in their tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can cause them to appear distant, unfocused or uncaring to others. A good night's sleep can help you avoid time blindness. Therefore try to maintain a regular bedtime, and take time to do something relaxing, such as listening to music, reading, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to stay organized. They may have difficulty to keep the track of their schedules, appointments and other belongings. Their car, home and office might be messy and their bags filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inability to remember and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to build and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women can also have difficulty speaking their thoughts in social situations. signs adhd can be impulsive and impatient, causing them to interrupt others or blurt things out without considering the consequences. This struggle to control their thoughts could lead to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ from day to day because of hormonal fluctuation. Estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation, and during menstruation, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved in ADHD in males and females, there is also a bias against diagnosing 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.
When women have a clear diagnosis of ADHD they can learn to manage their symptoms by using medication and other strategies for treatment. With the right guidance they can be successful in their work, school and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help cope with everyday challenges, while the use of behavioral therapy and other special smartphone apps are additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a tendency to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and weighs consequences doesn't work as well. This causes them to do or say things without thinking about the possible outcome, which can have negative effects. For example, impulsive behavior might lead to financial problems or cause damage to relationships. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies that help them deal with their difficulties with controlling their impulses. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to comfort themselves. A poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.
Girls and women with ADHD might also have difficulty to recognize that they have a problem with their behavior. They might struggle to explain their symptoms to their parents or teachers and, therefore, they try to cover up their problems. This can make it difficult for people to spot their problems and may delay the diagnosis.
Girls and women with ADHD typically have different symptoms than males or females. They might be more inattentive and have a higher rate of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, for example depression. These factors could be the reason for women and girls with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than boys or men.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's most prevalent in adolescence and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to cope with 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 receive the assistance she requires.