Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more commonly observed in men and boys. This makes them more prone to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor in the way that caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or who appear to be shy and dreamy are just "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal symptoms can cause ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD, the first thought most people think of is a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. This is a form of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to take a step back and think before acting. They may not be able to listen when people are talking, and they may have difficulty adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and misunderstandings with family, friends and romantic partners as well as colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD experience rejection sensitivity, which is an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of social relationships This can make it difficult for women to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
ADHD symptoms for women can be present at different times, such as during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability, mood swings and trouble with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women with ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from using tools like checklists, planners, and post-it note to keep track of their tasks. In some cases medical professionals can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Even when the symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't diagnosed. They can't keep up in the classroom and their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or by convincing themselves they're not affected by these issues.
Gender bias can also play an important role in causing missed or inaccurate diagnosis. For example, when males exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity are more likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention could be viewed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.
The inattention symptom of adhd can show up in many ways: You miss appointments, don't adhere to promises, and are unable to stay focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You have trouble waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others and can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is shaky and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You have trouble following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also be exacerbated when hormonal changes occur that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal perimenopausal (the menopausal transition). It can be difficult to concentrate on the demands of work or at home, and may make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve life goals.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. symptoms of adhd in adults releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, which can help boost your focus and mood. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy, and ease depression or anxiety 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-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it harder for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and unable to report 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 reaction to stress and danger. It can be a stressful and debilitating, but it's an excellent thing because it keeps you aware of the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly if something is not right. In reality anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, like jitteriness and sweating. It can also trigger rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. This includes panic disorder, in which you have recurring, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias that are characterized by a fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder where irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors dominate your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you are afraid of being away from your home or family.
Women suffering from ADHD often have issues with "time blindness". They may forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the incorrect time or place or get so absorbed by their work that they forget social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof or inconsiderate of others. A good night's sleep can prevent time blindness, so try to stick to a regular bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep, such as reading, listening to music or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD are often struggling to stay organized. They might have a difficult time keeping track of their appointments, schedules, and possessions. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their purses could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to maintain and develop relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women can also have a difficult time expressing themselves in social settings. They may be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or blurt things out before considering the consequences. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycle which can increase ADHD symptoms. These symptoms may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the biological differences between males and women in terms of 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.
When women have a clear diagnosis of ADHD they can learn to manage their symptoms using medication and other strategies for treatment. They can find success at work, school and in their private lives with the right support. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and assist them to better handle everyday challenges, while the use of behavioral therapy and other specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them in the forefront of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD have a tendency to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and considers consequences doesn't work as well. This can result in an inability to make decisions or speak words without considering the potential consequences, which can have negative effects. For instance, impulsive behavior could cause financial problems or cause damage to relationships. It could also lead to dangerous sexual behavior.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies to help them deal with their difficulty with impulse control. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs or eating food as a method to comfort themselves. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to could also lead to trouble.
Girls and women with ADHD may also be unable to acknowledge that they have a problem with their behavior. They might be unable to explain their issues to their teachers or parents and so they attempt to cover up their problems. This can make it harder for people to recognize their issues and can delay the diagnosis.
In addition women and girls with ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, such as depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects a lot of people, despite increasing awareness. It's particularly prevalent in the adolescent and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their careers or school. It's important for parents and educators to be aware of the possibility that a child or woman they know has ADHD so that they can get her the help she needs.