ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women who suffer from ADHD often report symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitivity to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor sleep quality which can make symptoms worse.
Girls and women are generally better at concealing their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to meet societal expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis and a delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
Concentration is the most difficult issue for women suffering from ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to concentrate at school in meetings at work or while reading or listening to others talk. It can be difficult to accomplish daily tasks, such as remembering appointments or taking 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 version of the condition can struggle with organizing their homes and their desks. They may be unable to prioritize their tasks. These issues can result in them not attending appointments, showing up at the wrong time or location or not completing their work tasks. These issues can cause them to feel bad about themselves, and they could blame themselves for their own problems.
Inattentive ADHD can also lead to poor performance at work or in school, and the accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Women and girls with inattentional ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized because of the biases teachers and parents may be prone to towards males and females. 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 in women who suffer from ADHD. They can be more evident during menstrual cycles or perimenopausal periods, the run-up to menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels drop and cause emotional problems such as mood swings and irritation.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus but it won't treat the condition. Other strategies, such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can also assist with organization and focus. Some workplaces and schools have accommodations that can help with these issues, as well.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make it difficult to keep track of your daily activities or take care of responsibilities. It can be difficult to remember important details particularly when they happen in a noisy environment. You may also find yourself having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or reply to emails, which can lead to financial stress and an impression of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a busy or noisy office, and may be unable to concentrate during conversations. This could make the other person feel ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They also run the risk of being forced into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. This is due to the fact that they have a more difficult managing their emotions and are more likely to feel overwhelmed. They might also have a problem with their self-esteem, and may see their difficulties as an "personal fault" instead of recognizing that their behavior may be linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Women and girls with ADHD are also often overlooked because of gender bias as their symptoms are less obvious than those of boys and men. They may be more likely to camouflage their symptoms as mood disorders or anxiety, which can result in being misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations particularly during puberty, when progesterone levels drop and estrogen rises. This can result in more frequent change in symptoms throughout the day, which can make it harder to identify and manage ADHD effectively.
If you are diagnosed and treated, you can learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet and limiting stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and sugary drinks which can aggravate symptoms. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can to calm your mind and decrease restlessness and impulsiveness. They can also improve the regulation of emotions. Talking to an expert in mental health can be beneficial, as they can suggest possible adjustments at school or at work that can help you manage your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, females with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. 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 amount of brain activity areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
It can be a challenge for doctors to identify ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, however others aren't sustainable and may cause other health problems. Some women, for example, turn to excessive alcohol and drugs to cope. They might also develop depression or suffer from mental health issues like anxiety. These unhealthy ways of coping can make it difficult for someone to recognize they have a mental health problem and delay the diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom in women that can impact school or work performance and relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a particular task, not remembering important dates or events, and being easily distracted by other things in the environment or in their minds. They might fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seats. They can also yell or speak loudly and may interrupt.
Women who are inattentive may have trouble concentrating during lectures or conversations or completing schoolwork, reading, or writing assignments, following instructions in class or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized, forgetful, and messy. It can be difficult for them to stick on commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or lose items such as glasses, wallets, keys and even wallets.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. adhd in adult women symptoms can cause problems at home, work, or school. It can also trigger feelings of boredom, restlessness, and frustration. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or home. They often interrupt others. They tend to be reckless and aren't able to control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder time coping with their symptoms than males and females. This is due in part to the social expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman suffering from ADHD struggles to manage her obligations, she may feel anxious and stressed that can cause low self-esteem. This makes it more difficult for her to seek help.
Women with ADHD are not often recognized as easily as males or females because their symptoms don't appear as prominent. 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. Additionally, they are more likely to develop coping strategies that cover up their ADHD symptoms, including excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness, which could be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can also vary at different times throughout the woman's lifetime. Women can suffer ADHD symptoms during hormonal changes such as menstruation and pregnancy. This can result in her being misunderstood or dismissed as a terribly emotional woman which can increase her feelings of frustration.
This article is based upon research into how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, including hormones, chromosomal makeup and anatomy. whereas gender refers to the internal feeling of being a woman, man or a nonbinary. This distinction is important because it helps us to better understand the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in men and women. In this article, we are referring to males and those who were assigned male at birth as boys and males. We also refer to females and those who were assigned female at conception as girls and women. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. For more information, read the guide to sex and gender by Verywell Health.