ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD often report symptoms of emotional instability and an sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor quality of sleep, which can exacerbate symptoms.
Women and girls often mask their ADHD symptoms better than males, using coping strategies to meet social expectations and norms. This could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Problems with Focusing
For many women with ADHD focus is the biggest challenge. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to remain focused at school, at meetings at work, or even when reading or listening to other people's conversations. It can also be challenging to complete daily 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. According to CHADD, women with the inattentive type of the disorder might struggle to organize their home and desk. They may be unable to prioritize their tasks. These problems could cause them to skip appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the correct time, or not follow through on their work duties. These problems can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they could blame themselves for their problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also make it difficult to stay on top of responsibilities, leading to poor work or school performance and an accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Teachers and parents may be biased towards 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.
For women of adult age with ADHD, symptoms can also be caused due to hormonal changes. For instance, they could become more noticeable during menstrual cycles or during perimenopause--the run-up to menopause--when estrogen levels dip and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
Stimulant medications can help improve concentration for adults with ADHD However, it can't cure the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with focus and organization. Certain schools and workplaces have accommodations to help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make juggling daily tasks and responsibilities difficult. It can be difficult to remember important information about events or people particularly when they occur in a noisy or busy environment. You might also find yourself having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to school or work. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or reply to emails, which could result in financial stress and a sense of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a crowded or noisy office. treatment for adhd in women may also zone out during conversations, causing others feeling disregarded or untruthful.
Many women and girls suffering from ADHD also have trouble maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unintentional sexual activity or being victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than other people to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they struggle to control their emotions. They might also have a problem with their self-esteem and they might view their issues as an "personal fault" instead of recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender biases due to gender bias, girls and women with ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are more subtle than those of men and boys. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which could result in a misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment.
The symptoms of ADHD differ with the fluctuation of hormones, especially during puberty when progesterone levels drop and estrogen increases. This can result in a wider range of symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD.
If you are diagnosed and treated, you can learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also change your lifestyle, such as eating healthy and balanced meals and avoiding stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and sugary drinks that could worsen symptoms. You can also try mindfulness techniques and meditation to calm your mind, reduce the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional control. Talking with a mental health professional can also be helpful, as they can suggest possible adjustments at work or at school that might assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD are less attentive than those with hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that women and girls have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the level of activity in the brain areas that control impulsive behavior.
It can be challenging for doctors to identify ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others are not sustainable and can lead to other health problems. For instance women may turn to alcohol or other drugs to cope with their symptoms. They may also become depressed or suffer from other mental health problems such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies can make it difficult for people to notice that they are suffering from a disorder and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom in women that can impact school or work performance and relationships. These include being in a state of disorientation and not being able to focus on a particular task, forgetting important events or tasks, and being easily distracted by the surrounding environment or their thoughts. They might fidget, tap their feet or hands, or shake their hands. They may also yell or speak loudly, and they may interrupt.
Women with the inattentive subtype are prone to having difficulty staying focused during lectures or conversations and juggling schoolwork, reading, or writing assignments, following instructions in class or at work, 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 susceptible to misplacing or losing things, 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 problems at home, at work and at school, and can cause feelings of restlessness or boredom. They have a hard waiting to be called upon at school, home or at work and they frequently interrupt others. They tend to act recklessly and are unable manage their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD may have a harder time to cope with their symptoms. This is due to the expectations of society that require women and mothers be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman is struggling to manage her responsibilities and obligations, it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This, in turn, could make it difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD frequently have a difficult time getting diagnosed as their symptoms aren't as pronounced as the men and boys. 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 the excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can also vary at different times throughout the woman's lifetime. Women can be afflicted with ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy. This can cause her to be viewed as a victim of prejudice or considered being emotionally overly sensitive.
The information in this article is based on research about how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy; while gender refers to the internal feeling of being a male, female or a nonbinary. This distinction is important because it allows for better understanding of the ways and the ways that ADHD manifests may differ between genders. In this article, we refer to males and people who were assigned male at birth as males and boys. We also refer to females and those who were assigned females at conception as girls and women. This is consistent with how many research studies use this terminology. To learn more, read the Verywell Health guide to gender and sexuality.