Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls because it presents differently than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These individuals are also more likely to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and substance abuse that mask ADHD symptoms and delays the accurate diagnosis. symptoms of adult adhd that coexist, like depression and anxiety are also common among these individuals.
Attention!
Women with inattentive ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might forget appointments or leave things unattended around the home. They are unable to keep the track of their finances as well as household chores and record-keeping. They also tend to forget names and dates, and suffer from memory problems. They also have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more frequently found in males and females however, the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common in women and girls. As high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. To be able to receive a diagnosis, you must have at least five continuous inattentive symptoms lasting more than six months.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can be difficult for people to identify because they don't see them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Teachers and parents are therefore less likely to suggest ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
Additionally, the way that ADHD affects women's lives is different at different times of her life because of hormonal fluctuations. For instance women's symptoms could become more severe during her menstrual cycle, if she's pregnant or as she enters menopausal.
These signs can have a major impact on women's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. They can cause feelings of self-doubt and shame because they make it hard to manage relationships, work and domestic tasks. Women with untreated ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual activities that can increase the likelihood of having children sexually transmitted infections, as well as other health problems. They may also experience sensitization to rejection because they have a hard time accepting real or perceived negative responses from others. As a result, they may avoid social settings and isolate themselves.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first indications of ADHD for girls and women. They are more likely to be procrastinators or lose things, have trouble concentrating on their tasks, and are easily overwhelmed in a busy environment. They might also have a hard time relaxing or falling asleep and may be more prone to mood fluctuation and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems in school, at home and in their relationships.
Since the symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders, women and girls may be omitted from a diagnosis. Teachers and healthcare providers don't recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do male students. This can result in an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to hide their struggles can result in adults with ADHD experience a greater impact than is usually reported. For instance, they may not be able to pinpoint a problem with concentration at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They may struggle to make choices at the shop or struggle to sleep or relax.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the underlying issue, they could adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This could include substance abuse and unhealthy eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time and keep the woman from seeking assistance that could improve her life dramatically.
It is also possible that because ADHD-linked behaviors are more popular with boys and men, they may be suppressed or hidden by girls and women who are concerned about being ostracized. For example, girls with ADHD might display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being criticized because they don't fit in with the norms of their school or in the community.
In the end, these triggers can lead to a cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. It's important for family members, friends, and teachers to recognize these struggles in women and girls as they can be a sign of a disorder that has not been diagnosed and needs to be addressed by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD often have a harder time than men to manage their emotions. The mood of women with ADHD is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can lead to more severe symptoms such as irritability and a feeling of inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional problems could have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a slog for parents and children alike however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women can be embarrassed about ADHD and might not seek help because of this. Women may attempt to cover up their symptoms by using coping strategies like excessive alcohol or drug abuse, but this can cause more harm. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers and women themselves, to identify ADHD symptoms. It can also delay the diagnosis.
It's easier for a woman with ADHD to hide her symptoms during her youth and adolescence than as an adult. The pressures of life, combined with expectations from society to excel in work and relationships, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These issues can leave women suffering from ADHD feeling like they are a victim of self-doubt, a sense of inadequacy and chronic distress. The diagnosis of ADHD could be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can help them understand the cause of their struggles and allow them to be more accepting of themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at work or school. They may feel embarrassed to tell their supervisor or professor about their condition and fear that their accommodations will be seen as an indication of weakness or incompetence. Most teachers and supervisors are willing to make minor adjustments to help those with ADHD succeed in their jobs.
In addition to finding people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from joining online support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups provide a an opportunity to share stories and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-Occurring Conditions
As girls and women mature they can develop coping strategies that can mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to spot. For example, a girl might attempt to dress and behave like her peers in order to avoid being a target for bullying or social rejection. In addition, she might take advantage of impulsive and unorganized behavior by working harder at school or at work, or relying on productivity apps to get her tasks done. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the presence of ADHD in a woman and can delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Women and girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before they receive an official diagnosis. These other conditions can mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They can cause complications in treatment.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders that coexist. This is more so than boys or men. They are often misunderstood or dismissed as being too emotional or temperamental, which contributes to their feelings of frustration.
In addition, many women have difficulty in their relationships because of ADHD symptoms. They tend to forget birthdays or err on minor details which can cause conflicts and confusion. They may also be struggling to keep up with household chores, personal finances and everyday responsibilities. These challenges can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can create an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their worth and capability.
In clinical settings, gender bias also influences the rate of women and girls who are being referred to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a class to read vignettes that described children who had ADHD symptoms, and rate how likely they would be to recommend or seek out services for the child portrayed. They found that participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
Like other illnesses, ADHD can vary in intensity for individuals and can worsen at different periods. For example, symptoms may be more evident during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy or menopause. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and also cause feelings of frustration and disappointment.