Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, not the impulsivity and hyperactivity that are more common in both men and boys. This makes them more prone to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Gender stereotypes play a role as well, since caregivers may think that girls who are quiet or who seem dreamy and withdrawn are just "being girls." Adult ADHD symptoms test symptoms can be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD the first image many people have is a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. While this is one type of ADHD however, girls and women also suffer from the disorder in this type. ADHD symptoms for women and girls are often harder to detect than in boys. This can lead to the disorder being misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In some instances, women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to think about their actions before committing. They might not be attentive when others are talking, and they may have trouble adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and misunderstandings with family friends, romantic partners and friends as well as colleagues.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women with ADHD to cope, especially in the case of low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, such as during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger anxiety, mood swings, and problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help women and girls suffering from ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which boost attention and focus. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from work can also help with ADHD symptoms. Utilizing tools such as planners, checklists and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. In some instances healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to treat symptoms.
2. Attention
Even when symptoms are serious women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed. They struggle to keep up at school, their homes may be messy, and they experience difficulties with relationships and performance. They might try to make up for it by hiding their symptoms or trying to convince themselves they're not affected by these issues.
Gender bias also can play a role in misdiagnosis or omissions. For example, when males exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity are more likely to get referred for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention could be viewed as dreamy, ditzy, or space-related.
The symptoms of inattention that are associated with adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You don't remember appointments, fail to keep promises and are unable to stay focused during class lectures or meetings. You have trouble waiting for your turn to speak with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is shaky and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You have difficulty following simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration such as homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopausal. This can make it more difficult to focus at work or at home, and it can make it harder to keep friends or reach goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals like dopamine that can improve your mood and improve your focus. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy, and ease depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to have more anxiety-related symptoms and mood disorders than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to admit that they struggle because of gender roles. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behavior. This can cause girls and women to be misdiagnosed and not declare 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 response to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a great thing. It keeps you aware of danger and allows you to react quickly if something is amiss. However anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms of adhd burnout, like jitteriness and sweating. It may also trigger a rapid heartbeat, or palpitations. People who suffer from frequent or severe anxiety may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This includes panic disorder, where you experience frequent, sudden panic attacks; phobias, which involve an intense fear of particular objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors dominate your life as well as separation anxiety disorder, in which you are afraid of being away from your home or family.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the wrong time, or get so lost in tasks that they miss out on social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof or inconsiderate of others. Good sleeping habits can help to prevent time blindness, so try to stick to a set bedtime and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep like reading, listening to music or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from adhd uncommon symptoms have a hard time keeping their schedules in order. They may have a hard to keep track of their schedules, appointments, and belongings. Their home, car, and office may be cluttered, and their purses filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, and tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women also have trouble communicating what they mean in social situations. They can be impatient and impulsive which causes them to interrupt others or blurt things out without thinking about the consequences. These struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD can change daily due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptom variations may be the reason why many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved with ADHD in females and males There is also a stigma against diagnosing women suffering from the condition. 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. With the right guidance they can be successful in school, at work and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help better handle every day challenges, and specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them on top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have problems with control of their impulses. It's because the part of the brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning as well. This results in a tendency to do or say things without thinking about the outcome, which can have negative consequences. For example, impulsive behavior could cause financial problems or harm relationships. It might also lead to risky sexual behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a range of strategies to help them manage their difficulties with controlling their impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself with food are all possible. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can also cause trouble.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may also struggle to recognize they are struggling with their behavior. They may have difficulty to explain their problems and therefore, they may conceal their issues. This can make it harder for people to notice their issues and can delay the diagnosis.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men or boys. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, for example depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be misdiagnosed than boys or men with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has improved but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent in the adolescent years and early adulthood, when people are juggling work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.