ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD experience emotional instability and sensitivity towards rejection. They can also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep, which could cause symptoms to get worse.
Girls and women are generally more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to meet societal expectations and norms. This could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Difficulty Focusing
For many women suffering from ADHD concentration is the most difficult thing to do. Symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder could make it hard to stay on task at school, at work meetings, or even when reading and listening to other people's conversations. It can also be difficult to manage everyday tasks, such as keeping track of appointments or remembering to take your 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 disorder may be struggling to organize their house or work desk and find it difficult to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These problems can lead them to miss appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the right time or not follow through on their job responsibilities. They may make them feel bad about themselves and blame themselves for their problems and think they're lazy or forgetful.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or in school, and debt accumulation. According to CHADD, they are often triggered by stress or other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized because of biases that teachers and parents might 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.
For adult women who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal changes. They may be more apparent during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle, the run-up to a woman's menopause, when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
The use of stimulants can help enhance concentration in adults suffering from ADHD however it doesn't solve the problem. Other strategies, such as lifestyle changes, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also aid in organizing and focus. Some schools and workplaces have facilities that can assist with these issues too.
2. Forgetting Things
It can be difficult to keep track of your daily activities or take care of responsibilities. You may find it difficult to keep track of important details especially when they take place in a noisy area. You might also notice that you frequently forget appointments or get late for school or work. Forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD, which can create financial stress and make you feel rushed. You may have difficulty working in a busy or noisy workplace and frequently get lost in conversations, causing others feeling ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls who have ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They are also at risk of being pushed into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of intimate partner violence. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they have difficulty regulating their emotions. They could also be struggling with self-esteem, and may see their problems as something that is a "personal fault" instead of recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Girl and women who suffer from ADHD are also underdiagnosed due to gender bias because their symptoms are less noticeable than those of boys and men. They can disguise symptoms as anxiety and mood disorders, which could lead to a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can be different based on the fluctuation in hormone levels. This is particularly evident during puberty, as hormone levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This can lead to a greater variance in symptoms throughout the day, which can make it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD correctly.
Diagnosed and treated, you will learn to manage ADHD symptoms. adhd in adult women symptoms can also try lifestyle changes, for example, eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants that may cause symptoms to worsen. It is also possible to practice meditation and mindfulness techniques to help calm your mind, reduce the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional regulation. A mental health professional might be able to help you by discussing possible accommodations that may assist you in managing ADHD symptoms at school or at work.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, females with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those who are hyperactive or impulsive. This could be because girls and women have different brains than boys and men. Or it could be due to the amount of activity in the brain areas that control impulsive behavior.
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop strategies for coping to hide their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others are not long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. For instance some women resort to excessive alcohol or drugs to cope with their symptoms. They may also become depressed or suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies may make it difficult for people to recognize that they have a problem and delay a proper diagnosis.
she said is one of the most common symptom of adhd for women. It can impact their work or school performance, as well as their relationships. These include being incapable of staying focused on a particular task, ignoring important tasks or events, and easily getting distracted by the surrounding environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their hands or feet or squirm. They may also talk loudly or yell, and they could be disruptive.
Women who are inattentive may have trouble in concentrating during lectures or discussions, keeping up with schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following instructions in class or at work, and juggling daily tasks. They may be disorganized and forgetful. They can also be messy. It can be difficult for them to follow through with commitments or tasks. They are more vulnerable to losing or misplacing items like 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 trouble at home, at work as well as at school, and can lead to feelings of agitation, boredom, and frustration. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or at home. They often interrupt others. They tend to act recklessly and are unable control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to have a difficult dealing with their issues than boys and men. This is due to social expectations that demand that mothers and wives be the primary caregivers of their children and their household. If a woman is struggling to manage her responsibilities and obligations, it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This could make it difficult to seek treatment for her ADHD.
Women with ADHD are not often diagnosed as readily as males or females because their symptoms do not 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. They are also more likely to develop coping mechanisms which mask their ADHD symptoms. For example the excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD may also change over the life of a woman. Women can experience ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycles and pregnancy. This could cause her to be misunderstood, or dismissed as 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 hormones, chromosomal makeup and anatomy; while gender is a subjective sense of being a male, female, or nonbinary person. This distinction is important because it helps us to better know the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in women and men. For this reason, throughout this article we will refer to males and those assigned male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys and women and those assigned to female at birth (AFAB) as girls and women. This is in line with how many research studies employ this terminology. For more information, read the guide to sex and gender by Verywell Health.