Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often exhibit inattention symptoms, in contrast to the hyperactivity and impulsivity more typically observed in men and boys. This makes them more prone to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Stereotypes of gender can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who bounces off walls at school. This is a form of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
In certain instances, women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behavior that make it difficult for them to stop and consider their actions before acting. They may not listen well when others are talking, and they may have difficulty adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to irritability and miscommunications with family friends, romantic partners and friends, as well as coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection. When combined with low self-esteem and a lack of social relationships which can make it difficult for a woman to deal with her ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at different times during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritation, mood swings and problems with concentration.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD have a better chance to manage their symptoms through diet, exercise and sleeping habits. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which improve concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women suffering from ADHD. female adhd symptoms and taking breaks from your activities can also help ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. In some instances healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when the symptoms are severe, women and girls with inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They struggle to stay on top of school and their homes are messy, and they have trouble with relationships and performance at work. They might try to make up for their symptoms by hiding them or claiming that they're not affected.
Gender bias can be a factor in missed or misdiagnoses. For instance, if a boy displays hyperactive or impulsive symptoms are more likely to get assessed for diagnosis and treatment. In contrast girls who display inattention symptoms could be dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You miss appointments, fail to follow through on promises and find it difficult to concentrate in class or meetings. You are having a difficult time waiting for your turn to speak with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a weak memory and frequently lose things or forget where they are. You struggle to follow simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration such as homework or chores.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also get worse when hormonal changes take place such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. It is difficult to pay attention to at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Regular exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can boost your mood and improve your focus. Plus, regular exercise helps you shed excess energy and reduce 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 and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, so they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This can lead women and girls to be misdiagnosed and unable to declare 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 the natural reaction to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and exhausting, but it's an excellent thing because it helps you stay alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly when something is suspicious. However, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms like 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. This is a type of panic disorder in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected anxiety attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior control your life and separation anxiety disorder, in which you fear being away from your home or family.
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with "time blindness". They might miss important dates and appointments, arrive at an incorrect time or place, or become so distracted by their work that they fail to notice social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof or uncaring to others. A good night's sleep can aid in avoiding time blindness. So make sure you have your bedtime routine and take time to do something relaxing, such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD struggle with keeping their schedules in order. They might have a difficult managing their schedules, appointments and personal belongings. Their car, home and office might be cluttered, and their purses are filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it difficult for them to build and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women can also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. They may be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or shout things out without considering the consequences. These struggles with filtering their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation, and during menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms could be the reason why a lot of 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 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 with the help of medications and other treatment strategies. They can achieve success in school, work, and their personal lives if they have the right support. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help cope with daily challenges, while the use of behavioral therapy and other special smartphone apps are additional tools to keep them at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have problems with control of their impulses. It's because the part the brain that makes decisions and considers consequences, doesn't function as well. This can result in a tendency for people to make decisions or speak words without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative consequences. For instance, an impulsive behaviour might lead to financial problems or damage relationships. It can also lead to risky behaviors such as sexual.
Someone suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their difficulty with impulse control. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself with food are all possible. A poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can also cause trouble.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble recognizing an issue in their behavior. They might be unable to explain their symptoms to their parents or teachers and so they attempt to conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to recognize their issues and can delay the diagnosis.
Females and females who suffer from ADHD often present with different symptoms than men or boys. They might be more distracted and have a greater incidence of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, like depression. These factors can be the reason for women and girls with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than men or boys.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects millions of people, despite increased awareness. It's especially common in the adolescent and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their jobs or schools. Parents and teachers should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD in order to get her the help she needs.