Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who have ADHD often go undiagnosed as children due to the fact that 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 tend to develop unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, which can mask ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are also common in these people.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD often find it hard to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. adult adhd signs may forget appointments or leave things unattended around the home. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. It's also common for these women to have issues with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult to remember names or dates. They also have trouble being still for long durations of time and have difficulty staying focused or following directions.
While hyperactivity and impulse control are more prevalent in males and females but the inattention ADHD subtype is also prevalent in women and girls. Up to 80% of ADHD sufferers are categorized as inattentive. To be able to receive a diagnosis, you must have at least five continuous inattentive symptoms lasting more than six months.
The inattention-related symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to spot than other forms of ADHD because a lot of people don't see them as a part of a disorder or have different expectations about what a girl's behavior should be. Because of this, parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can change as time passes due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms may worsen when they are pregnant, menstruating or menopausal symptoms.
These issues can affect women's self-esteem as well as their satisfaction with life. These symptoms can lead to feelings of shame and low-self-worth and make it difficult to manage relationships, work and household chores. Women who are not treated for ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual behavior which increase the likelihood of having children, sexually transmitted infections and other health issues. They may also be afflicted by the sensitivity to rejection since they have a hard time accepting real or perceived negative responses from others. This is why they might avoid social situations and avoid social situations.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. They are more likely to delay or lose things or have difficulty concentrating on tasks and easily become overwhelmed in busy environments. They may also have difficulty relaxing or falling asleep, and they may be more susceptible to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can cause issues at home, school and in relationships.
add symptoms and girls are often overlooked for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Health professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do male ones. This can result in an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to hide their issues, this can mean that adults with ADHD experience a greater impact from the condition than is generally reported. For instance, they may not report having difficulty focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They may struggle to make decisions when they go to the grocery store or find it difficult to sleep or relax.
This could negatively impact their self-esteem. Rather than addressing the underlying problem, they could develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that may include substance abuse or eating habits that are unhealthy. This can make it worse over time, and prevent the woman from getting the help she requires.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more acceptable to boys and men socially it is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide their ADHD-related behaviors out of fear of being rejected. For example, a girl who suffers from ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being judged for not conforming to the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These factors can ultimately create a cycle of confusion and frustration for women with ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these issues because they could be a sign of a disorder that is not being diagnosed. This disorder can be treated with medication and therapy.
Emotional Difficulties
Women who suffer from ADHD are more difficult in controlling their emotions than men. The moods of women with ADHD are more likely to fluctuate due to hormone fluctuations throughout the day, which may exacerbate symptoms such as irritability and feelings of inadequacy. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These emotional difficulties can have a serious impact on relationships and career prospects.
ADHD can be a major challenge for parents and children alike however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women often feel shy or embarrassed about their ADHD and this may hinder them from seeking assistance. Some women may try to cover up their symptoms by using methods of coping such as excessive alcohol or drug abuse however this could make the situation worse. Masking can also make it difficult for employers and teachers to detect ADHD symptoms for women, and can lead to a delay in diagnosing.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to successfully hide her symptoms during the adolescent years and in her youth however, it can be more difficult as an adult. Stress from daily life and societal pressures to excel in relationships and work can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women suffering from ADHD feeling like they're failing and low self-esteem. They can also cause chronic distress. For some, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD can be an epiphany, helping people to recognize the root cause of their issues and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women with ADHD struggle to receive help at work or school. They may be embarrassed telling a supervisor or professor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the support they require will be seen as an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of supervisors and instructors will make small adjustments to enable people with ADHD to succeed in their roles.
In addition to finding supportive peers, women with ADHD can also benefit from joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups can provide the opportunity to share personal stories and discuss the particular challenges of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring conditions
As women and girls become teenagers, they develop coping strategies that cover their ADHD symptoms and make it harder for others to notice. For example the girl may try to dress and act like her peers in order to avoid being a target for bullying or social rejection. She could try to compensate for her chaotic, impulsive behavior by working harder at school or at work, or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other coping mechanisms can disguise the presence of ADHD in women and delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are diagnosed with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, before they are given a diagnosis for the disorder. These other conditions can mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They may cause complications in treatment.
Girls and women with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem and other mood disorders. They may be misunderstood and dismissed as emotionally unstable or temperamental, which further contributes to their feelings of anger.
In addition there are women who have issues in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and make mistakes with small details. This can cause miscommunication and conflict. They also might be struggling to manage housework, personal finances and other daily responsibilities. These issues can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed which can lead to an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their worth and capabilities.
Gender bias in clinical settings can affect the frequency at which girls and women are recommended to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a classroom to read vignettes describing children who had ADHD symptoms, and then rate how likely they would be to recommend or seek services for the child described. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
ADHD, like other conditions is a condition that can be severe and worsen at different times. For instance, symptoms can be more apparent during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy or menopause. These changes can cause issues with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and also result in feelings of anger and failure.