ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD experience emotional instability and sensitivity towards rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor sleep quality which can cause more symptoms.
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 as well as delays in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For a lot of women suffering from ADHD, focusing is the most difficult thing to do. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder may make it difficult to stay on task at school, at meetings at work, or even when reading and listening to others ' conversations. It can be difficult to complete daily tasks like keeping track of appointments or taking medications.
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 struggle to organize their homes or at their work desk and find it difficult to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These issues can result in being late for appointments, turning up at the wrong time or place, or failing to complete their work tasks. These problems can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they might blame themselves for their own problems.
Inattentional ADHD can lead to poor performance at school or at work and can lead to debt accumulation. According to CHADD, they are often triggered by stress or other mental conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Certain women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized because of biases that parents and teachers may 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 women who are adults who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be exacerbated due to hormonal changes. They can be more noticeable during menstruation or perimenopause that is the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues like mood swings or irritation.
Stimulant medication can enhance concentration in adults suffering from ADHD, but it won't cure the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help with focus and organization. Some workplaces and schools have accommodations that can help with these issues, too.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make it difficult to keep track of daily activities or take care of obligations. It can be difficult to remember important details especially when they take place in a noisy area. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. adhd in women signs with ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails, which can lead to financial stress and a sense of urgency. You might have trouble working in a noisy or crowded office, and may be unable to concentrate during conversations. This can make the other person feel unimportant or misunderstood.
Many girls and women with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unintentional sexual activity or being victims of intimate partner violence. This is due to the fact that they have a more difficult time regulating their emotions and are more likely to become overwhelmed. They might also have trouble with self-esteem and could be more likely to view their difficulties as "personal flaws" rather than recognizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Girl and women who suffer from ADHD are also often overlooked due to gender bias since their symptoms are more obvious than those of males and females. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which can cause a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can differ based on fluctuations in hormones. This is especially the case during puberty when hormone levels drop and progesterone levels increase. This can cause a greater range of symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Diagnosed and treated, you can learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, for example, eating a well-balanced diet and limiting sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants that may cause symptoms to get worse. It is also possible to practice meditation and mindfulness techniques to relax your mind, reduce the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional regulation. Talking to a mental health professional could be beneficial, since they can suggest possible adjustments at work or at school that can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to experience less attentive than those with hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that the brains of girls and women differ from those of boys and men, or it could have to do with the amount of activity is happening in the areas of the brain responsible for managing disruptive and impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be difficult for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't sustainable and can lead to other health issues. For example women may turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to deal with their symptoms. They could also develop depression or other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping methods can make it difficult for people to recognize a mental health problem and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom for women that can affect work or school performance and relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a task, ignoring important events or tasks and becoming easily distracted by other things in the surroundings or in their thoughts. They might fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seat. They can also yell or speak loudly, and can interrupt.
Women who suffer from the primarily inattentive type of adhd may struggle to concentrate on their lectures or conversations and juggling reading, writing, or schoolwork; following instructions at the workplace or in class and managing daily tasks. They might be unorganized and forgetful. They can also be messy. It can be challenging for them to follow through with commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace items such as 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 subtype can lead to issues at home, at work and in schools, and can lead to feelings of agitation or boredom. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or at home. They often interrupt others. They aren't able to control their behavior and are likely to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD may have a harder time coping with their symptoms than men and boys. This is largely due to social expectations, which demand that women and mothers are the primary caregivers of their children and their household. If a woman is struggling to manage her responsibilities this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty getting diagnosed since their symptoms aren't as evident as those of boys and men. 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 instance the excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD may also change throughout the woman's life. For instance, during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycles or pregnancy, a woman could discover her ADHD symptoms to become more severe. This could result in being dismissed or misinterpreted as a terribly emotional woman and can cause a sense of frustration.
This article is based on research on how ADHD affects different individuals based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, hormones, chromosomal makeup and anatomy; while gender is a subjective sense of being a man, woman or a nonbinary. This distinction is crucial because it helps us to better know how and why ADHD can manifest differently in men and women. In this article, we refer to males and those who were assigned male at birth as males and boys. We also refer to females and those who were assigned female at conception as females and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. For more information, check out the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.