Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more commonly observed in men and boys. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes can be a factor caregivers might assume that quiet or dreamy girls are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who bounces off walls of his school. While this is a type of ADHD, women and girls also experience the disorder in this form. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are typically more difficult to spot than in boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to stop and consider their actions prior to 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 irritability and miscommunications with family friends, romantic partners and friends, as well as coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and difficulty in peer 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, menstrual cycles and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability and mood swings and also difficulty with concentration.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to manage their symptoms through diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost attention and concentration. It also helps calm anxiety and stress, which are common in women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and frequent breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from using tools like checklists, planners, and post-it note to track their activities. In some cases the health professional may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are serious women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They aren't able to keep up with the classroom, their homes are messy and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias is also a factor that plays an important role in causing missed or incorrect diagnoses. For example, when a boy displays symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity, they're more likely to get assessed for diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand girls who display inattention symptoms could be dismissed as space cases, dreamy or uninteresting.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You might forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments or find it difficult to stay focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You are having a difficult time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others and are unable to stop interrupting. Your memory is weak and you are prone to losing 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.
Attention-deficit 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 can make it more difficult to maintain friendships or achieve goals in your life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, which can improve your focus and mood. In signs and symptoms of adhd in adults , regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to experience more anxiety symptoms and mood symptoms than hyperactivity or impulsivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle because of gender role expectations. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by hiding other behaviors. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting in girls and women. 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 overwhelming and exhausting, but it's beneficial because it keeps you alert to potential danger and helps you react quickly when something goes amiss. In reality anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, like sweating and jitteriness. It may also trigger rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or chronic anxiety. This is a type of panic disorder in which you experience frequent, sudden panic attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder where irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors control your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you are afraid of being away from your home or your family.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They might miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the wrong time, or get so lost in tasks that they miss out on social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof or uncaring to others. Good sleeping habits can aid in avoiding time blindness. Therefore, try to keep a regular bedtime, and then do something relaxing such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD struggle with staying organized. They may struggle to keep the track of their appointments, schedules, and belongings. Their home, office and car may be cluttered, and their handbags may be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult for them to maintain relationships at work as well as in their private lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. They may be impulsive and impatient which causes them to interrupt others or shout things out without thinking about the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycles which can worsen ADHD. These symptom variations may be the reason why many women with ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved in ADHD in females and males as well as the bias against diagnosing women suffering from 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 are given a clear diagnosis of ADHD and are able to learn to manage their symptoms with the help of medications and other treatment strategies. They can find success at work, school, and their personal lives with the right support. The use of medication can improve concentration and aid in everyday challenges. The use of behavioral therapy and smartphone applications can also prove beneficial.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD typically have issues with control of their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions and considers consequences, isn't functioning in the same way. This could lead to an inability to do or say things without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can lead to financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person with 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 eating food as a method to comfort themselves. Poor diet or sleeping less than you ought to could also lead to trouble.
Women and girls with ADHD might have difficulty recognizing the signs of a problem with their behavior. They may have difficulty to articulate their issues and so hide their struggles. This makes it difficult for people to recognize their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms differently than boys or men. They might be more distracted and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors could be the reason for women and girls with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than men or boys.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects a lot of people, despite the increasing awareness. It's more prevalent during early adulthood and adolescence, when people are juggling work or school. It's important for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a child or woman they know has ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.