Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, as opposed to the impulsivity and hyperactivity commonly observed in men and boys. This makes them more easily overlooked and not properly diagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who bounces off walls of his school. Although this is one form of ADHD females and girls are also affected by the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often harder to detect than those of boys. This can lead 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 before acting. They may not be able listen to others when they are speaking, and could have trouble following instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends, and coworkers.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly when she is self-conscious or difficulty in peer relationships.
Signs of ADHD in women may flare up at different times during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings and irritation and may cause problems in concentrating.
Diet, exercise and sleeping habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It can also help to ease stress and anxiety which are common in women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from activities can help alleviate ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it note to track their activities. In certain instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't identified. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes may be messy, and they have trouble with relationships and work performance. They might try to make up for it by denying their symptoms or by convincing themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias also can be a factor in misdiagnosis or omissions. If a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior, he's more likely to be referred for diagnosis and therapy. On the other hand girls who display inattention symptoms could be dismissed as dreamy, space cases or uninteresting.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You may forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments or struggle to stay focused during meetings or classroom lectures. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak with others and are unable to stop interrupting. You have a weak memory and are often lost items or forget where they are. You have difficulty following simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also be exacerbated when hormonal changes occur that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). It can be difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can improve your mood and concentration. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy, and ease anxiety or depression symptoms- which 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. signs of adhd adults that are expected of girls make it more difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, so they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and not be able to report their symptoms of ADHD. 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 exhausting, but it's beneficial because it helps you stay alert to potential danger and helps you react quickly when something goes amiss. However anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, such as sweating and jitteriness. It may also trigger a rapid heartbeat, or 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 have recurring, unexpected panic attacks; phobias that are characterized by a fear of particular objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors dominate your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from home or family.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They may miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be too distracted by their work that they miss out on social interactions. This can make them appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can aid in avoiding time blindness. So make sure you have your bedtime routine and then do something relaxing such as listening to music, reading or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may struggle to keep track of their schedules, appointments, and belongings. Their car, home and office could be cluttered and their handbags filled with receipts, 17 different chapsticks, and tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inability to remember and lack of organization can make it challenging to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women may also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things before thinking through the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women may vary from day to day due to hormonal fluctuation. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation and during the menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms may be the reason for why many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are associated with ADHD for females and males as well as the tendency to not diagnose 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.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms using medications and other treatments. With the right support, they can achieve success in their work, school and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help cope with daily challenges, while specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences isn't working as well. This can result in the tendency of people to make decisions or speak words without considering the potential consequences, which could have negative consequences. For instance, impulsive behavior might lead to financial problems or damage relationships. It could cause dangerous sexual behavior.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to manage their impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating food are all options. A poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can also cause trouble.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may also be unable to recognize that they have a problem with their behavior. They may be unable to communicate their problems to their teachers or parents, so they try to hide their struggles. This makes it more difficult for people to spot their issues and can delay a diagnosis.
In addition, girls and women with ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They might be more distracted and have a higher rate of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, like 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 a condition that affects many millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It's especially common in adolescence and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to cope with the demands of their jobs or schools. It's important for parents and educators to be aware of the possibility that a child or woman they know is suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get the help she needs.