Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls since it is different than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also have a tendency to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol and substance abuse, which can mask ADHD symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis. These people are also more susceptible to co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD may have difficulty to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They may forget appointments or leave things unattended around the house. They struggle to keep track of their finances, household chores and record-keeping. They also tend to forget names and dates, and have memory issues. They also have a difficult time staying still for long periods of time and have trouble staying focused or following instructions.
While the impulse control and hyperactivity are more prevalent in boys and men but the inattention ADHD subtype is also common for women and girls. As high as 80% of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. You must have five inattentive symptoms that persist for a period of more than six months to be eligible for a diagnosis.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to recognize because they don't view them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Because of adhd signs in adults , teachers and parents are less likely to recommend ADHD assessments for girls than for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms may also change as time passes due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms can become more severe during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal changes.
These symptoms can have a major impact on a woman's self-esteem and life satisfaction. They can trigger feelings of shame and low self-worth because they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home tasks. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience anxiety and depression. They could also engage in sexual behavior which increase the risk for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also experience the sensitivity to rejection since they have a hard time accepting negative or real responses from other people. This is why they may avoid social settings and become more isolated.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and impulsivity can be the first indications of ADHD for women and girls. They might procrastinate more than usual, lose items or have trouble focusing. They can also become overwhelmed by the busy environment. They may also have trouble sleeping or relaxing, and are more prone to mood swings or anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems at home, school and in relationships.
Girls and women are frequently left out of the diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent for both genders. Healthcare professionals and teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male ones. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to hide their struggles This could suggest that people with ADHD have a more severe impact from the condition than is usually reported. For instance, they might not report having difficulty focusing at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making decisions at the grocery store or find it difficult to sleep or relax.
This could have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the underlying issue, they could develop unhealthy ways to cope. This may include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time and keep the woman from getting assistance that could improve her life in a significant way.
It is also possible ADHD-related behavior is more popular with boys and men and women, they are repressed or concealed by girls and women who fear being rejected. For example, a girl with ADHD might display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being shamed for not conforming to the norms of her community or school.
These causes can create a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families, friends, and educators should be aware of the struggles, as they may be indicators of an undiagnosed disorder. The disorder is treatable with medication and therapy.
Emotional Difficulties
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have a harder time than men to control their emotions. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can lead to more severe symptoms like irritability or a feeling of being inadequate. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These emotional problems can have serious consequences for relationships and career opportunities.
Having ADHD can be a struggle for both parents and children however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women are often shamed or embarrassed by their ADHD which can make it difficult for them to seek assistance. They may even try to mask their symptoms by developing strategies for coping, such as excessive alcohol or drug abuse, which can actually make the situation worse. Masking can make it harder for teachers and employers to recognize ADHD symptoms for women, and it can contribute to delays in diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD may be able to successfully hide her symptoms during her youth and adolescence however, it can be more difficult when she's an adult. Stress from daily life and pressures from society to be successful in relationships and work can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These struggles can leave many women suffering from ADHD feeling a sense of self-doubt, a sense of inadequacy and constant stress. For some, a diagnosis of ADHD can be like a lightbulb moment, helping people to recognize the root of their challenges and allowing them to accept themselves more fully.
Many women with ADHD find it difficult to receive support at work or at school. They may feel uncomfortable in telling a supervisor or professor and fear that their accommodations will be seen as an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of instructors and supervisors are willing to make minor adjustments to enable those with ADHD to perform their roles.
In addition to finding people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from joining online support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups provide a opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring Conditions
As women and girls become teenagers, they develop coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for others to notice. A girl may dress and act as her peers in order to avoid being bullied or rejected by other people. She might try to make up for her impulsive, disorganized behavior by working more at school or at work, or using productivity apps to accomplish her tasks. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the existence of ADHD in a female and delay the diagnosis for her in adulthood.
A lot of the time, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, prior to the time they are given a diagnosis of the disorder. These other conditions could mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They may also complicate treatment.
Females and girls who have ADHD are also at a higher risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by co-existing mood disorders than males or boys. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or excessively emotional, which increases their angst.
In addition many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and miss small details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. Also, they may struggle to manage household chores, personal finances and daily responsibilities. These issues can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed which can create a dysfunctional internal landscape of self-esteem and beliefs.
In clinical settings, gender bias also affects the rate of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes describing children with ADHD symptoms and rated how likely they were to recommend or seek help for the child in the. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
ADHD, like other conditions is a condition that can be severe and worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms could be more pronounced during the menstrual cycle of a woman or during menopausal or pregnancy. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of disappointment and despair.