Female Symptoms of ADHDGirls and women who have ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, as opposed to the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often observed in men and boys. This makes them more vulnerable to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Gender stereotypes play a role, as caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or who appear to be shy and dreamy are simply "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can cause ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a child who flies off the walls of the school. This is a type of ADHD that affects women as well as girls. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are typically more difficult to spot than those of boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
Women suffering from ADHD are prone to unpredictable behavior that makes it difficult to think and stop before they act. They might not be attentive when other 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 and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly in the case of low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD in women may flare up at different times during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritability and may cause problems in concentrating.
Some girls and women who have ADHD are able to manage their symptoms by diet, exercise and sleeping habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety that are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from work can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it note to track their activities. In some cases healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to treat symptoms.
2. Attention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even when symptoms are extreme. They aren't able to keep up with the classroom, their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They may attempt to compensate for their issues by denying them or convincing themselves that they are not affected.
Gender bias can also be a factor in misdiagnosis or omissions. For instance, if boys exhibit
signs symptoms of adhd of impulsivity or hyperactivity, they're more likely to be diagnosed and treated. In contrast, girls who display inattentive symptoms are often dismissed as dreamy, space cases or uninteresting.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You miss appointments, fail to keep promises and have trouble staying focused during class lectures or meetings. You aren't able to wait for your turn and you constantly interrupt other people while you talk. You have a weak memory and often lose things or forget where they are. You have trouble following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, like homework or chores.
Symptoms
list of adhd symptoms inattentive ADHD can also be exacerbated during hormonal changes like menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause (the period leading up to menopausal). It can be difficult to concentrate on the demands of work or at home, and may make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve your goals in life.
Regular exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and concentration. In addition, regular exercise helps you shed excess energy and can ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically experience more mood and anxiety-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it more difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to cover up ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This can lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting of 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 painful, but it's actually a good thing: it keeps you alert to potential danger and helps you react quickly when something goes not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can also cause a variety of physical symptoms, including sweating, jitteriness and an increased heart rate (palpitations). People who suffer from frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. An anxiety disorder can include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks) as well as fear of certain objects or situations (where you are extremely afraid of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They might miss important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they miss out on social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof or uncaring to other people. Good sleep habits can help keep you from becoming time blind and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a set bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep like listening to music, reading, or meditation.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a hard time keeping their schedules in order. They may struggle to keep on top of their appointments, schedules and possessions. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it challenging to establish and maintain work and personal relationships.
Women can also struggle to express their opinions in social situations. They may be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or blurt things out before considering the consequences. These struggles to filter their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstruation, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptom variations may be the reason for why many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved in ADHD in males and females, there is also a stigma against diagnosing women suffering from the disorder. 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
high functioning adhd in females symptoms and are able to learn to manage their symptoms with the help of medications and other treatment strategies. With the right support they can be successful in their work, school and in their personal lives. Medication can provide a significant boost in concentration and help them better handle every day challenges, and the use of behavioral therapy and other special smartphone apps are additional tools to help them stay on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and thinks about the consequences isn't working as well. This can result in the tendency of people to do or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative consequences. Instinctive behavior can cause financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It might cause sexually risky behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a range of strategies to help them manage their difficulties with controlling their impulses. This could include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or eating food as a method to soothe themselves. A poor diet or lack of sleep can also lead to issues.
Women and girls with ADHD may have trouble recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may have difficulty to articulate their issues and therefore, they may hide their struggles. This can make it difficult for people to understand their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Females and females with ADHD typically have different symptoms than men or boys. They might be more distracted and are more likely to be the victim of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors can contribute to the fact that women and girls 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 increased awareness. It's most prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to meet the demands of their careers or school. It's important for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a child or woman they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.