Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to show inattention signs, rather than the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more prevalent in both men and boys. This makes them more prone to being overlooked and misdiagnosed.
This Internet page play a role as well, since caregivers may think that quiet girls or girls who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and during perimenopausal cycles can trigger ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is about ADHD, the first thought most people think of is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls of class. This is a form of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are more difficult to detect than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
In some instances women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behavior that make it difficult to pause and think about their actions before committing. They might not be able to listen to others when they are speaking, and may have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and confusion in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends and colleagues.
Many women with ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to cope, particularly in the case of low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at various times during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause irritability, mood swings and problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It can also help ease stress and anxiety which are common among women suffering from ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Many people suffering from ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists planners, planners, and a post-it notes to keep track of their activities. In some cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when symptoms are serious women and girls suffering from inattention ADHD are not diagnosed. They struggle to stay on top of classes, their homes are messy and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They might try to make up for their problems by avoiding them or pretending that they are not affected.
Gender bias can also be a factor in missed or misdiagnoses. For instance, if males exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to get diagnosed and treated. On the other hand girls who exhibit inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
Inattention can manifest itself in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to adhere to your commitments or find it difficult to stay focused during classroom lectures. You have a hard time waiting to be in the right place when speaking with others and are unable to stop interrupting. Your memory is poor and you easily lose things or forget where you put them. You have difficulty following simple instructions, and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration like homework or chores.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also get worse when hormonal changes occur, such as during pregnancy, menstruation, or perimenopause. This can make it more difficult for you to pay attention at work or at home, and can make it more difficult to keep friendships intact or reach goals in your life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine, which can improve your mood and improve your focus. In addition, regular exercise helps you shed excess energy and ease anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common in women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to have more anxiety and mood issues than hyperactivity or impulsivity. Gender role expectations make it more difficult for girls to acknowledge that they're struggling, and they are more likely to cover up ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This could lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting among women and girls. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and danger. It can be debilitating and overwhelming but it is a good thing. It keeps you alert to danger and helps you respond quickly if something is amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms like jitteriness, sweating, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). An anxiety disorder is diagnosed in people suffering from frequent, severe or disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder could include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks), fears (where you are intensely afraid of certain things or situations), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They can miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear unfocused, aloof, or inconsiderate to other people. A good night's sleep can keep you from becoming time blind, so try to stick to a regular bedtime and do something that is relaxing before you go to bed, such as reading, listening to music, or meditation.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD often have trouble staying organized. They may struggle to keep on top of their appointments, schedules and possessions. Their home, car and office could be cluttered and their handbags full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their disorganization and forgetfulness can make it difficult to maintain relationships at work as well as in their personal lives.
Women can also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could make them interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the consequences. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may vary between days because of hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower at the time of ovulation, and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These symptom changes may be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD as well as the differences in the biology between men and women in regards to brain structure and chemicals. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms by taking medication and other treatment methods. They can be successful at work, school and in their private lives if they have the right support. Medication can provide a significant boost in concentration and help cope with every day challenges, and specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay in the forefront of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a tendency to have difficulty controlling their impulses. It's because the part the brain that makes decisions and considers consequences, isn't functioning as well. This can result in the tendency of people to do or say things without thinking about the consequences, which could have negative consequences. Instinctive behavior can cause financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It might also lead to dangerous sexual behavior.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies to help them deal with their difficulties with controlling their impulses. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs or eating food as a method to relax. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.
Girls and women with ADHD may also struggle to acknowledge that they have a problem with their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their symptoms, so they hide their struggles. This makes it more difficult for people to spot their symptoms and delay a diagnosis.
Females and females with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys or men. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, like depression. These factors can contribute to the fact that girls and women with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.
Although awareness of ADHD has improved however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's particularly prevalent in adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to cope with the demands of their work or school. It's crucial for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a child or woman they know is suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she requires.
