ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD often report symptoms of emotional volatility and an sensitivity to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality sleep which can cause more symptoms.
Girls and women often hide their ADHD symptoms more effectively than men and employ strategies to manage their stress and meet the social expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis and a delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For a lot of women suffering from ADHD, focusing is the most challenging thing. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school or during work meetings as well as when reading or listening to other people talk. It can also be difficult to complete daily tasks, like keeping track of appointments or remembering to take medication.
Difficulty focusing is one of the most common adhd symptoms for girls and women, regardless of their gender identity or whether they have hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive ADHD. Women who suffer from the inattentive version of the condition may be struggling to organize their home or their desk and struggle to prioritize tasks, according to CHADD. These issues can result in them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or place, or failing to complete their work duties. These difficulties can make them feel bad about themselves, and they could blame themselves for their problems.
Inattentional ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or in school and can lead to debt accumulation. According to CHADD, they can be triggered either by stress or other mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD are underdiagnosed or overlooked due to the prejudices that parents and teachers may have toward boys and men. They may not be able to express their ADHD symptoms as well, especially the hyperactive/impulsive ones, and may have difficulty finding treatment that works for them.
For women and adhd of adult age who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be caused due to hormonal changes. For instance, they may be more apparent during the menstrual cycle or during perimenopause--the run-up to menopause--when estrogen levels dip and can cause emotional issues, including mood swings and anger.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from stimulant medication to improve their focus however, it cannot solve the problem. Other strategies, such as lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in focusing and organization. high functioning adhd in women and workplaces have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
The habit of forgetting can make juggling daily tasks and responsibilities difficult. You may have difficulty remembering important information about people or events, especially when they happen in a noisy or crowded environment. You may also find that you often forget appointments or run late for work and school. Forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails is a common occurrence for women with ADHD and can cause financial stress and make you feel stressed. You may experience difficulties working in a noisy or crowded office, and may zone out during conversations. This can make the other person feel ignored or misunderstood.
Many girls and women who have ADHD also struggle to keep friendships. They also run the risk of being pushed into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they are unable to manage their emotions. They may also struggle with their self-esteem and may be more likely to view their problems as "personal imperfections" rather than recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias, women and girls with ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are more subtle than those of men and boys. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which could result in a misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations and, particularly during puberty when estrogen drops and progesterone increases. This can result in a wider variety of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
When diagnosed and treated, you can learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, like eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to get worse. You can also practice mindfulness techniques and meditation to relax your mind, reduce impulsiveness and restlessness and improve your emotional control. A mental health professional might be able to assist by discussing possible accommodations that may assist you in managing ADHD symptoms at school or at work.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be less attentive than those with hyperactive or the symptoms of impulsivity. This could be due to the fact that girls and women have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the level of activity in the brain areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be harder for a physician to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. Some women, for example are prone to drinking excessively or drugs to manage. They may also develop depression or other mental health conditions such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies may make it harder for someone to notice that they have a problem and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is one of the most common adhd symptoms for women. It can impact their school or work performance, as well as their relationships. They usually involve not staying focused on a particular task, not remembering important events or tasks and being easily distracted by other aspects of the environment or in their minds. They might fumble or tap their hands or feet or squirm in their seats. They may also speak out loudly or yell, and they can be interruptive.
Women who have the most inattentional subtype of adhd can struggle to concentrate on lectures or conversations as well as keeping up with reading, writing, or schoolwork; following instructions at work or in class; and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized, forgetful, and messy. It is often difficult for them to follow through with tasks or commitments. They are more likely to lose or misplace things such as keys, wallets and eyeglasses.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of adhd can cause issues at work, home or at school. It can also lead to feelings of boredom, restlessness and anger. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or home. They are also known to interrupt others frequently. They tend to be reckless and are unable control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls with ADHD can have a harder dealing with their issues than boys and men. This is partly due to societal expectations that insist that mothers and wives be the primary caregivers for their children and their household. When a woman with ADHD struggles to keep up with her responsibilities, she can be afflicted with anxiety and stress which can lead to low self-esteem. This in turn could make it difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
In addition, women with ADHD often have difficulty getting diagnosed as their symptoms aren't as pronounced as those of men and boys. They may present with primarily inattentive symptoms, which do not have the same outward appearance as hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, making them less likely to receive a referral for treatment from teachers and parents. They are also more likely to develop coping strategies that cover up their ADHD symptoms. For example the excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness could be interpreted as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD may also change throughout the woman's life. Women can suffer ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This can lead to being dismissed or misinterpreted as an overly emotional woman, which adds to her feelings of frustration.
This article is based upon research into how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon: chromosomal makeup hormones, hormones, and anatomical structure. gender is an internal sense of who you are as a man, a woman, or if non-binary, you're an individual. This distinction is important because it allows for a better understanding of the ways and the ways ADHD manifests can differ between genders. In this article, we refer to males as well as people who were assigned males at birth as males and boys. We also refer to females and people who were assigned females at conception as females and girls. This is consistent with how many research studies use this terminology. To learn more, read Verywell Health's guide on gender and sexuality.