ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional instability and an sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor quality sleep, which can exacerbate symptoms.
Girls and women are typically more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to conform to social expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis as well as delays in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For many women with ADHD, focusing is the biggest challenge. Symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder could make it difficult to remain focused at school, at meetings at work, or even when reading or listening to others talk. It can be difficult to complete daily tasks, such as 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 with the inattentive form of the disorder may have trouble organizing their home or their desks and may 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 finish their work duties. They can cause them to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for their troubles, thinking they're lazy or forgetful.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can also make it hard to stay on top of obligations, resulting in poor school or work performance and an accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Certain women and girls who suffer from inattentional ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated due to the prejudices that parents and teachers may have toward boys and men. 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 exacerbate symptoms for women who suffer from ADHD. They may be more apparent during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle that is the time leading up to a woman's menopause as estrogen levels drop and cause emotional problems like mood swings or irritation.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus, but it will not solve the problem. Other strategies such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can help with organization and focus. Certain schools and workplaces have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
The habit of forgetting can make managing daily tasks and responsibilities challenging. It can be difficult to keep track of important details particularly when they happen in a noisy area. You may also end up having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to work or school. Inability to pay bills or respond to emails is a common occurrence for women suffering from ADHD and can cause financial stress and make you feel rushed. You may experience difficulties working in a noisy or noisy workplace and frequently get lost in conversations, leaving the other person feeling ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls suffering from ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pressured into sexual activities that are not desired or being victims of intimate partner violence. This is because they have a harder managing their emotions and are more likely to feel overwhelmed. They may also struggle with their self-esteem and may be more likely to interpret their problems as "personal flaws" instead of recognizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias due to gender bias, girls and women with ADHD are underdiagnosed as their symptoms are more subtle than those of men and boys. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which can cause 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 decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can cause greater variation in symptoms from day to day, which can make it more difficult to recognize and manage ADHD effectively.
If you are diagnosed and treated, you will learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to become worse. It is also possible to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to help calm your mind, decrease the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional control. A mental health professional may be able to assist by discussing possible accommodations that may help you manage ADHD symptoms at work or in school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women with ADHD are more sluggish than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be because girls and women have different brains than males and females. Or it could be due to the volume of brain activity areas that control impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be difficult for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, but others are unsustainable and can cause health issues of other kinds. For example, some women turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to manage their symptoms. They may also become depressed or have other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies can make it difficult for people to recognize they have mental health issues and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom in women that can affect school or work performance and relationships. attention deficit disorder in women can be a problem when they are incapable of staying focused on a particular task, or forgetting important events or tasks, and easily getting distracted by the surroundings or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their feet or hands or make a squirming sound. They may also speak out loud or yell, and they may be disruptive.
Women with the inattentive subtype can have difficulty staying focused during lectures or conversations and juggling schoolwork, reading, or writing assignments, following directions in class or at work, and managing daily tasks. They might be unorganized, forgetful, and messy. It is often difficult for them to stick with tasks or commitments. They are more prone to misplacing or losing items, including 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 trouble at work, at home, and in school, and it can lead to feelings of agitation or boredom. They can't wait for their turn whether at school, work, or home. They are also known to interrupt others frequently. They aren't able to control their behavior and are likely to behave in a reckless manner.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls who have ADHD may find it harder to cope with their symptoms. This is partly due to societal expectations that insist that mothers and women be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman is struggling to fulfill her obligations, it can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult for her to seek treatment.
Women with ADHD are typically not diagnosed as easily as boys or men because their symptoms don't seem to be as apparent. 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 strategies that mask their ADHD symptoms. For example, excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness could be interpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD can change over the woman's life. Women can experience ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycles and pregnancy. This can result in being viewed as a terribly emotional woman and can cause a sense of frustration.
The information in this article is based on research into how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology: chromosomal make-up hormones, hormones and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a male, a woman, or if you're non-binary, you're an individual. attention deficit disorder in women is crucial because it allows us to better understand the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in men and women. In this article, we are referring to males and people who were assigned male at birth as males and boys. We also refer to females and people who were assigned female at conception as girls and women. This is consistent with how many research studies use this term. To find out more, check out Verywell Health's guide to gender and sex.