Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often display inattentive symptoms, in contrast to the hyperactivity and impulsivity more often seen in boys and men. This means they are more likely to be missed and often misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor, as caregivers might assume that quiet girls or girls who seem dreamy and withdrawn are just "being girls." Also, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and perimenopause can trigger ADHD symptoms to become more severe.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off the walls of his school. Although this is one form of ADHD females and girls also suffer from the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
sign of adhd in adults who suffer from ADHD may exhibit impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to stop and think before acting. They may not be able to listen when others are talking, and they may have difficulty following instructions or finishing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends, and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD have sensitivity to rejection which is a heightened emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to manage, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at different times, including during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability and mood swings, as well as difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help some women and girls suffering from ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters, which boost concentration and focus. It also helps to ease stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from your activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists planners, planners, and a post-it notes to keep track of their tasks. In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Women and girls with inattention ADHD often aren't diagnosed until symptoms are severe. They struggle to stay on top of classes, their homes are messy and they have trouble with relationships and performance at work. They may attempt to compensate for their symptoms by hiding them or claiming that they are not affected.
Gender bias also can be a factor in misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses. For instance, if males exhibit hyperactive or impulsive symptoms are more likely to get assessed for diagnosis and treatment. Conversely girls who display inattention symptoms can be written off as space-bound, dreamy or silly.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to follow through with promises or struggle to stay focused during classroom lectures. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others while you talk. You have a poor memory and frequently lose things or forget where they are. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration like homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also become more severe when hormonal changes occur like menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the run-up to menopause). It can be difficult to focus on the demands of work or at home, and may make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach the goals of life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, which can help boost your focus and mood. In addition, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and ease depression or anxiety -- symptoms that are common in women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically experience more mood and anxiety-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it more difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behaviors. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting in girls and women. 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 overwhelming and debilitating but it's a great thing. It keeps you aware of danger and helps you react quickly if there is something amiss. However anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, like sweating and jitteriness. It can also cause a rapid heartbeat or 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) and phobias (where you are intensely scared of certain things or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women with ADHD struggle with a phenomenon known as "time blindness." They may forget important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the wrong time, or get so absorbed in their tasks that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can make them appear aloof, inconsiderate, or unfocused to others. A good night's sleep can aid in avoiding time blindness. So, try to keep a regular bedtime, and then do something relaxing such as listening to music, reading or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble staying organized. They may struggle to keep the track of their schedules, appointments and other belongings. Their car, home, and office may be cluttered, and their purses full of receipts, 17 different chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inability to remember and lack of organization can make it challenging to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women may also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can make them interrupt others or utter things without thinking about the consequences. This struggle to control their thoughts can lead them to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are lower around ovulation and during the menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These symptoms may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed.
In addition to the differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved with ADHD in females and males There is also a stigma against diagnosing women suffering from the disorder. 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.
When women have a clear diagnosis of ADHD and are able to manage their symptoms using medication and other strategies for treatment. With the right guidance they can be successful at school, work and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and help with everyday problems. The use of behavioral therapy and applications for smartphones can prove beneficial.
5. Impulsivity
Women suffering from ADHD have a tendency to be unable to control their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences isn't as efficient. This causes them to say or do things without thinking about the possible result, which could have negative consequences. For instance, an impulsive behaviour could cause financial problems or harm relationships. It could cause dangerous sexual behavior.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping strategies that help them deal with their difficulty with impulse control. Self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself with food are all possible. A poor diet or sleeping less than you have to can also cause trouble.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty to recognize they have a problem with their behavior. They might find it difficult to explain their symptoms to their teachers or parents, so they try to cover up their problems. This can make it harder for people to spot their issues and can delay a diagnosis.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men or boys. They might be less attentive, and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders like depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is a condition that affects many millions of people, despite the increased awareness. It's more prevalent in the early years of adulthood and adolescence when students are trying to balance school or work. It's crucial for teachers and parents to be aware of the possibility that a person they know has ADHD to ensure that they get the help she needs.