Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, as opposed to the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often seen in males and girls. This makes them more easily overlooked and often misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that quiet or dreamy girls are just "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can cause ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off the walls of the school. This is a form of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are often harder to detect than in boys. This leads to the disorder being misdiagnosed or left untreated.
Women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit unpredictable behavior that makes it difficult to think and stop before deciding to act. They may not be able listen well when other people are speaking, and may be unable to follow instructions or working through tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends, and colleagues.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. symptoms of adhd adults I Am Psychiatry is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman with ADHD to cope, particularly if she has low self-esteem or has difficulty forming relationships with peers.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may flare up at various times during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause mood swings and irritability, as well as difficulty in concentrating.
Some women and girls who suffer from ADHD find it easier to control their symptoms with diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and attention. It also helps calm anxiety and stress, which are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and frequent breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists or planners, as well as a post-it notes to keep track of their tasks. In certain cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women who have inattention ADHD often aren't diagnosed, even if the symptoms are severe. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes may be messy, and they have difficulties with relationships and performance. They may try to compensate for their issues by denying them or pretending that they're not affected.
Gender bias can be a factor in misdiagnosis or omissions. For example, when males exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms are more likely to be diagnosed and treated. In contrast, girls who display inattentive symptoms could be dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or uninteresting.
Inattention can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to follow through with promises or struggle to stay focused during classroom lectures. You can't wait your turn and you constantly interrupt other people when you are talking. Your memory is poor and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You have difficulty following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration, such as homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can make it difficult to concentrate at work or at home, and can make it more difficult to maintain friendships or achieve goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can help boost your mood and focus. Regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and ease depression or anxiety 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 impulsivity and hyperactivity. Gender role expectations make it difficult for girls to admit that they're struggling, and they are more likely to camouflage ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This can lead women and girls to be misdiagnosed and unable to 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 feel overwhelming and painful, but it's actually a good thing: it keeps you alert to possible dangers and helps you react quickly when something goes amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including sweating, jitteriness, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in people suffering from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder could include panic disorder (where you have recurring, unplanned panic attacks), phobias (where you are incredibly afraid of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They may miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the wrong time, or become too distracted by their work that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear distant, uncaring or unfocused to others. Good sleeping habits can help keep you from becoming time blind so make sure you stick to a set bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep, such as listening to music, reading, or meditation.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time staying organized. They may have a hard managing their schedules, appointments and belongings. Their car, home and office might be cluttered and their handbags full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work as well as in their private lives.
Women also have trouble communicating what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can make them interrupt others or say things without thinking about the consequences. This struggle to control their thoughts could lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary daily due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can cause ADHD. These symptoms could be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved in ADHD in females and males, 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.
Women suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms with medication and other methods of treatment. With the right help they can succeed at school, work as well as in their personal lives. The use of medication can improve concentration and aid in everyday challenges. Therapy for behavior and applications for smartphones can be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD are more likely to have difficulty controlling their impulses. It's because the part the brain that makes decisions, and considers consequences, isn't functioning in the same way. This causes them to make decisions or act without thinking about the possible result, which could have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in problems with finances or relationships that are damaged. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of strategies to help them deal with their issues with controlling impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating foods are all possible. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can cause problems.
Girls and women with ADHD may also struggle to recognize that they are having issues with their behavior. They might be unable to explain their issues to their teachers or parents and, therefore, they try to conceal their issues. This makes it difficult for people to identify their problems and delay a diagnosis.
In addition women and girls with ADHD tend to present their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They might be less attentive, and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders like depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased, it's still a disorder that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent during the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling school and work. It's important for parents and educators to be aware of the possibility that a person they know has ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.