ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional volatility and an sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor quality of sleep which can cause more symptoms.
Girls and women are typically more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms by using coping strategies to comply with social expectations and norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school in meetings at work or while reading or listening to other people talk. It can also be challenging to manage everyday 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. According to CHADD the women who suffer from the inattentive type of the condition can struggle to organize their home and their desks. They may also find it hard to prioritize tasks. These problems can result in them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or at the wrong place or failing to finish their work tasks. These difficulties can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they might blame themselves for their troubles.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also make it hard to stay on top of the demands of life, resulting in poor work or school performance as well as the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD they can be triggered by stress or other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women and girls with inattentional ADHD are underdiagnosed or overlooked due to the prejudices that teachers and parents may have towards men and boys. 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.
Hormonal changes can also exacerbate symptoms for women who suffer from ADHD. They may be more apparent during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle that is the time leading up to a woman's menopause as estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
adhd in women symptoms can enhance concentration in adults suffering from ADHD However, it can't solve the problem. Other strategies like mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can help with organization and focus. Some workplaces and school have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make juggling daily chores and responsibilities difficult. You may have difficulty remembering important details about events or people particularly when they occur in a noisy or busy environment. You may also find that you often forget appointments or get late for school or work. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or responding to emails, which can cause financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a busy or noisy office. You may also lose focus during conversations, leaving the other person feeling ignored or misunderstood.
Many girls and women with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pressured into unintentional sexual activity or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. This is due to the fact that they have a harder time regulating their emotions and are more likely to feel overwhelmed. They may also struggle with self-esteem and could be more likely to interpret their issues as "personal flaws" instead of acknowledging the fact that their behavior is correlated to their ADHD symptoms.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also underdiagnosed because of gender bias because their symptoms are less noticeable than the symptoms of men and boys. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which could result in a misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations, especially during puberty when progesterone levels drop and estrogen increases. This can cause a greater range of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD.
When diagnosed and treated, you can learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also consider lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and avoiding caffeine, sugar and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to become worse. It is also possible to practice mindfulness techniques and meditation to relax your mind, decrease the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional regulation. Talking with an expert in mental health can be beneficial, since they can talk about possible accommodations at work or at school that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, females who suffer from ADHD experience more inattentive symptoms than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. It could be because the brains of women and girls differ from those of men and boys or it could have to do with how much activity is happening in the parts of the brain that control disruptive and impulsive behavior.
It can be a challenge for doctors to recognize ADHD in women. Many women develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, but others aren't sustainable and may cause other health problems. For instance, some women turn to drinking or using drugs to manage their symptoms. They may also be depressed or suffer from other mental health problems such as anxiety. These unhealthy ways of coping can make it difficult for someone to recognize that they have a mental health problem and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a common adhd symptom in women that can impact school or work performance and relationships. They can be a problem when they are in a state of disorientation and not being able to focus on a specific task, or forgetting important events or tasks and being easily distracted by the environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, shake their feet or hands or squirm. They can also talk out loudly or yell, and they may be disruptive.
Women who have the inattentive subtype may have trouble in concentrating during lectures or discussions and juggling schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following instructions in classes or at work, and juggling daily tasks. They can be disorganized and messy and find it difficult to adhere to commitments or tasks. They are more susceptible to losing or misplacing items, including 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 disorder can cause problems at work, home, or school. It can also trigger feelings of restlessness, boredom, and frustration. They have a difficult waiting to be called upon at home, school, or in the workplace and they frequently interrupt others. They have a tendency to act recklessly and aren't able to manage their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to have a difficult to manage their symptoms than males and females. This is due to societal expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD is unable to fulfill her responsibilities, she can be afflicted with anxiety and stress that can cause low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often not recognized as easily as men or boys because their symptoms do not seem to be as apparent. 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 which mask their ADHD symptoms. For instance excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness could be interpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD can change over the course of the woman's life. Women may experience ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This can lead her to be viewed as a victim of prejudice or considered being excessively emotional.
The information in this article is based on research into how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, including hormonal makeup, chromosomal makeup and anatomy. whereas gender refers to an internal sense of being a male, female, or nonbinary person. This distinction is crucial as it allows for a better understanding of the ways and the ways in which ADHD manifests can vary between genders. In this article, we are referring to males and people who were assigned male at birth as boys and males. We also refer to females as well as people who were assigned females at conception as girls and women. This terminology is used in a variety of research studies. For more information, check out the guide to sex & gender by Verywell Health.