Female ADHD Symptoms
Females with ADHD often go undiagnosed as children, because the disorder appears differently in girls than it does in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also develop unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, that mask their ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. They are also susceptible to co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They may miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They struggle to manage their personal financial records, household chores. It is also common for these women to have problems with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult for them to remember names or dates. They also have trouble staying still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following the directions.
While hyperactivity and impulse control are more common in males and females, the inattentive ADHD subtype is also prevalent for women and girls. As high as 80% of ADHD sufferers are considered inattentive. To be able to receive a diagnosis, you must show at least five ongoing inattention symptoms that last more than six months.
The inattention-related symptoms of ADHD can be harder to spot than other types of ADHD because many people don't consider them as being a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Parents and teachers are less likely to suggest ADHD testing for girls than boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change as time passes due to hormonal changes. For example women's symptoms could become more severe during her menstrual cycle, if she's pregnant, or when she enters menopause.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a woman's self-esteem and life satisfaction. These issues can lead to feelings of self-doubt and shame and make it difficult to manage relationships, work or household chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also suffer from anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual activities that increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as well as other health problems. They may also experience sensitization to rejection because they have a hard time accepting real or perceived negative reactions from others. This is why they may avoid social situations and avoid social situations.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and impulsivity can be the first indications of ADHD for women and girls. They may be more likely to be procrastinators or lose things or have difficulty concentrating on tasks and easily become overwhelmed in stressful environments. They might also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing and may be more susceptible to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can cause 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 between males and females. Teachers and healthcare providers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male ones. This could result in an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
In addition, with a tendency to conceal their problems It could mean that adults with ADHD suffer more from the condition than usually reported. They may not be able to admit that they have difficulty concentrating at work or are overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making choices at the store or have trouble to relax or sleep.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they could develop unhealthy ways to cope. This may include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This can cause more problems over time, and may prevent the woman from getting the help she needs.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more acceptable to males and boys It is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide their ADHD-related behaviors out of fear of being disregarded. For example, girls with ADHD might display hyperactive and impulsive behaviors to avoid being shamed for not fitting in with the norms of school or in the community.
Ultimately, these factors can result in a cycle of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. Families as well as friends and teachers should be aware of these issues because they could be a sign of a disorder that is not being diagnosed. This condition can be treated by medication and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women with ADHD often find it more difficult than men to manage their emotions. Their moods are more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can cause symptoms like irritability and feeling of inadequacy. Women with ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional problems could be detrimental to career and relationships.
ADHD can be a problem for children and parents alike but it can be especially difficult for women. Women may feel ashamed of ADHD and may not seek help due to this. Some women may try to mask symptoms with methods of coping such as excessive drinking or substance abuse which can cause more harm. Masking can make it harder for teachers and employers to recognize ADHD symptoms in women, and it could lead to delays in diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD may be able successfully hide her symptoms during her youth and adolescence, but it's more challenging as an adult. Stress from everyday life and the pressures of society to perform well in work and relationships can intensify ADHD symptoms. Home Page can lead to women suffering from ADHD feeling like they are failing as well as low self-esteem and ongoing stress. For some, a diagnosis of ADHD can be like a lightbulb moment that helps people to recognize the root of their issues and giving them the chance to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to get support at work or school. They may be embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor and may be concerned that the accommodation they need will be seen as an act of weakness or incompetence. However, most supervisors and instructors are willing to make minor accommodations to allow those with ADHD to perform their job.
In addition to locating people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from joining online support groups for adults with ADHD. These groups provide an opportunity to share experiences and discuss the unique issues of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring conditions
As girls and women become teenagers, they develop coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult for others to detect. For instance the girl may attempt to dress and act more like her peers in order to avoid being a target for bullying or social rejection. Or, she may take advantage of impulsive and unorganized behavior by putting in more effort at school or at work, or relying on productivity apps to get her tasks accomplished. These and other coping strategies can mask the presence of ADHD in a woman and can delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Girls and women with ADHD are often diagnosed with depression or anxiety before receiving an official diagnosis. These other disorders can disguise the presence of ADHD and make it difficult to treat and recover.
Girls and females with ADHD also have a greater risk of feeling low about themselves and are more likely to be afflicted by coexisting mood disorders than boys or men. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as overly emotional or temperamental, which further increases their feelings of discontent.
In addition there are women who have issues in their relationships because of ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. Also, they may be struggling to keep up with household chores financial obligations, personal finances, and other daily responsibilities. These challenges can cause them to feel exhausted and overwhelmed, which can fuel an internal landscape of dysfunctional beliefs about their worth and capability.
The presence of gender bias in clinical settings can also affect the rate that women and girls are referred for an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a class to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms, and then rate how likely they were to recommend or seek services for the child portrayed. They found that participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than for girls.
ADHD like other disorders is a condition that can be severe and worsen at different times. For instance, symptoms can be more evident during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or the menopausal phase. These changes can lead to problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance. They can also contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.