ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitive to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality sleep which can make symptoms worse.
Women and girls are often better at concealing their ADHD symptoms and coping mechanisms to comply with social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis or delays in treatment.
1. Difficulty 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 concentrate at school, in meetings at work, or even when listening to others ' conversations. It can also be challenging to complete everyday tasks like keeping track of appointments or remembering to take 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 suffering from the inattentive type of the disorder may be struggling to organize their house or desk and have difficulty focusing on tasks, according to CHADD. adhd in older women can cause them to miss appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the right time, or fail to keep up on their job responsibilities. These issues can cause them to feel bad about themselves, and they may blame themselves for their problems.
Inattentional ADHD can also lead to poor performance at work or in school and can also lead to debt accumulation. They are often caused by stress or other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Teachers and parents might be biased against males and females, which can cause some women and girls to be overlooked. 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 increase symptoms in women who suffer from ADHD. They can be more noticeable during menstrual cycles or perimenopausal periods which is the period leading up to a woman's menopause as estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues like mood swings and irritation.
Stimulant medication can improve concentration for adults with ADHD However, it can't treat the condition. Other strategies, including lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help with focus and organization. Some schools and workplaces have accommodations that can help with these issues as well.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make juggling daily tasks and responsibilities challenging. It can be difficult to remember important details about events or people particularly when they take place in a noisy or crowded environment. You might also find that you are often late for appointments or run late for work and school. Women with ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or respond to emails, which could lead to financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You might have trouble working in a busy or loud office and often get lost in conversations, leaving others feeling disregarded or untruthful.
Many girls and women with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unwanted sexual activity or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they are unable to manage their emotions. They could also be struggling with self-esteem, and may view their difficulties as a "personal fault" instead of recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Females and females with ADHD are also underdiagnosed because of gender bias because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and females. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which could result in a misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD differ with the fluctuation of hormones, especially during puberty when progesterone levels drop and estrogen rises. This can cause a greater range of symptoms, making it harder to identify and manage ADHD.
If you are diagnosed and treated, you will learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also alter your lifestyle by eating an appropriate diet and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and sugary drinks that could worsen symptoms. It is also possible to practice mindfulness techniques and meditation to help calm your mind, decrease restlessness and impulsiveness and improve your emotional control. Talking with a mental health professional can be beneficial, as they can discuss possible accommodations at work or school that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women with ADHD are less attentive than those with hyperactive or the symptoms of impulsivity. That may be because the brains of girls and women differ from those of males and females or it could be to do with how much activity is occurring in the parts of the brain that control disruptive and impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be harder for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop strategies for coping to disguise their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. For instance, some women use excessive alcohol or drugs to manage. They may also become depressed or have other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping methods can make it difficult for someone to recognize that they have an issue with their mental health and delay the diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is among the most common adhd symptoms for women. It can affect their school or work performance, and even their relationships. They can be a problem when they are incapable of staying focused on a specific task, ignoring important events or tasks and easily getting distracted by the environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their feet or hands or shake their hands. They may also speak out loud or yell. they could be disruptive.
Women who have the inattentive subtype can have difficulty in concentrating during lectures or discussions or completing schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following instructions in class or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized and forgetful. They may also be messy. It is often difficult for them to follow through with tasks or commitments. They are more prone to misplacing or losing 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 type of adhd can cause issues at work, at home or in school. It can also trigger feelings of boredom, restlessness, and frustration. They have a difficult waiting to be called upon at school, home, or in the workplace and often interrupt other people. They are not able to control their behavior and tend to behave recklessly.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls who have ADHD might find it difficult to manage their symptoms. This is due in part to the social expectations that demand women and mothers be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD struggles to fulfill her responsibilities, she could be afflicted with anxiety and stress that lead to low self-esteem. This makes it harder to seek treatment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically not diagnosed as easily as men or boys because their symptoms do not appear as obvious. 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 that mask their ADHD symptoms. For instance excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness can be mistaken as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD may also change throughout the woman's life. Women can suffer ADHD symptoms during hormonal changes such as menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This can lead her to be misunderstood, or dismissed as being overly emotional.
This article is based on research on how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology: chromosomal make-up, hormones, and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a man, a woman, or if nonbinary, an individual. This distinction is crucial as it allows for better understanding of how and the ways ADHD manifests can vary between genders. In this article, we are referring to males as well as people who were assigned males at birth as males and boys. We also refer to females as well as people who were assigned female at conception as women and girls. This is consistent with how many research studies use this term. For more details, refer to the guide to sex & gender by Verywell Health.