Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often seen in males and girls. This makes them more easily overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD the first image many people have is of a hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. Although this is one form of ADHD females and girls also experience the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed and not treated.
Women suffering from ADHD can exhibit an impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to take a step back and think before deciding to act. They may not be able listen well when other people are speaking, and may have trouble following instructions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion with family, friends and romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a heightened emotional response 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 has difficulty forming relationships with peers.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at different periods during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger mood swings and irritability and may cause problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which improve attention and concentration. It can also help to reduce anxiety and stress that are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists planners, planners, and a post-it note to keep track of their tasks. In some cases, health care providers can prescribe medication to treat symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even if the symptoms are extreme. They can't keep up in the classroom, their homes are 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 by them.
Gender bias can play a part in missed or incorrect diagnosis. If a boy displays excessive or impulsive behavior, he's more likely to be referred for diagnosis and therapy. Girls who exhibit inattention can be dismissed as dreamy, ditzy, or space-related.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to adhere to your commitments or find it difficult to stay focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You aren't able to wait for your turn and you constantly interrupt other people while you talk. Your memory is shaky and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You are unable to follow 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 take place like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopausal. It is difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach your goals in life.
Getting plenty of exercise can help you manage your symptoms. symptoms of adult adhd releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and concentration. Additionally, regular exercise can help to burn off excess energy and reduce anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common in women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Girls are often hesitant to admit they struggle due to gender roles. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by hiding other behavior. This can lead girls and women to be misdiagnosed and unable 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 response to stress and danger. It can be a stressful and exhausting, but it's a good thing: it helps you stay alert to possible dangers and helps you respond quickly when something is amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a myriad of physical symptoms, including sweating and jitteriness. It may also trigger an increase in heart rate, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you experience frequent, unplanned panic attacks) and fear of certain objects or situations (where you are incredibly terrified of certain objects or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behavior), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle with "time blindness". They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at an wrong time or location, or become so distracted by their tasks that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof, or inconsiderate to others. Good sleeping habits can aid in avoiding time blindness. Therefore, try to keep a regular bedtime, and take time to do something relaxing, such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle with keeping their schedules in order. They may have a difficult managing their schedules, appointments, and possessions. Their home, office and car may be cluttered and their purses could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain and develop relationships at work as well as in their private lives.
Women may also have difficulty communicating what they mean in social situations. They may be impulsive and impatient, causing them to interrupt others or shout things out without considering the consequences. These struggles to filter their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can differ between days because of hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower during ovulation and menstrual cycle which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can be the reason for why many women with ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD, in addition to the differences in the biology between men and women in regards to the brain's 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.
If women are given a clear diagnosis of ADHD they can learn to manage their symptoms using medications and other treatment strategies. With the right support they can be successful at school, work as well as in their personal lives. The use of medication can improve concentration and help with everyday challenges. The use of behavioral therapy and apps for smartphones can also prove beneficial.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a tendency to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and weighs consequences doesn't work as well. This can result in a tendency for people to do or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative effects. Impulsive behavior can lead to financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It can also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
A person suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to control their impulses. This could include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or using food as a way to soothe themselves. A poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.
Women and girls with ADHD may struggle to recognize a problem in their behavior. They may be unable to explain their symptoms to their teachers or parents, so they try to conceal their issues. This makes it difficult for people to understand their problems and delay a diagnosis.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often present with different symptoms than boys or men. They might be more distracted and have a higher rate of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, for example depression. These factors contribute to the fact that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It is more common in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when people are juggling school and work. It's crucial for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a girl or woman they know is suffering from ADHD so that they can receive the assistance she requires.