Female Symptoms of ADHD
Teens and women with ADHD tend to show inattentive signs, rather than the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more common in boys and men. This makes them more likely to be overlooked and often misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes are a factor as well, since caregivers may think that quiet girls or girls who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD the first impression most people think of is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often harder to detect than boys. This leads to the disorder being misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to impulsive behavior that makes it difficult to stop and think before acting. They might not be attentive when others are talking, and they may have difficulty adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and difficulty in friendships with peers which can make it difficult for a woman to deal with her ADHD symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at various periods during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause irritability and mood swings and may cause problems in concentrating.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists planners, planners, and a post-it note to keep track of their tasks. In certain cases medical professionals can prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when the symptoms are severe, women and girls with inattention ADHD are not diagnosed. They struggle to stay on top of the classroom and their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and their work performance. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can play a role in missed or misdiagnoses. If a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior, he's more likely to be recommended for diagnosis and therapy. On the other hand girls who exhibit inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space cases, dreamy or uninteresting.
Inattention can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to keep promises or find it difficult to stay focused during classroom lectures. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a poor memory and frequently lose things or forget their location. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as chores or homework.
female symptoms of adhd can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as during pregnancy, menstruation, or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to concentrate at work or at home, and can make it more difficult to keep friendships intact or reach goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, that can boost your focus and mood. Regular exercise can also aid in burning extra energy, and ease depression or anxiety symptoms -that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Female gender roles make it harder for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, so they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or 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 stress and danger. It can be a stressful and painful, but it's actually an excellent thing because it helps you stay alert to potential danger and helps you respond quickly when something is suspicious. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, like sweating and jitteriness. It can also trigger an increase in heart rate or palpitations. An anxiety disorder can be diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you experience frequent unplanned panic attacks) as well as phobias (where you are intensely afraid of certain objects or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They may miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the wrong time, or become so absorbed in their tasks that they miss social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof or inconsiderate of other people. Good sleep habits will ensure that you don't suffer from time blindness. Therefore make sure you have your bedtime routine and then do something relaxing such as reading, listening music or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble staying organized. They may find it difficult to keep the track of their schedules, appointments, and belongings. Their office, home, and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it difficult to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women can also find it difficult to express their opinions in social situations. They can be impatient and impulsive, causing them to interrupt others or shout things out before considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. For female adhd symptoms are lower during ovulation and menstrual cycle which can increase ADHD symptoms. These symptoms could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD as well as the differences in biology between males and women in regards to 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.
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. Medication can help improve concentration and assist with everyday difficulties. Therapy for behavior and smartphone applications can also prove beneficial.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be unable to control their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and thinks about consequences doesn't work as well. This causes them to make decisions or act without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative effects. For instance, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or harm relationships. It could also lead to dangerous behaviors like sexual.
Someone suffering from ADHD might develop a range of strategies to assist them in overcoming their difficulty with impulse control. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or drugs or using food as a way to comfort themselves. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can cause problems.
Women and girls with ADHD may have trouble recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may find it hard to articulate their issues and so cover up their problems. This could make it difficult for people to identify their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Additionally women and girls with ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They may be less attentive and may suffer from anxiety or mood disorders like depression. These factors contribute to the fact that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects many millions of people, despite the increased awareness. It's more prevalent in the adolescent years and early adulthood, when people are juggling school and work. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may be suffering from ADHD in order to receive the assistance she needs.