ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women who suffer from ADHD report emotional volatility and sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor sleep quality which can make symptoms worse.
Girls and women are typically better at concealing their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to meet societal expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis and an inability to treat.
1. Problems with Focusing
For many women with ADHD concentration is the most challenging thing. Symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can make it hard to remain focused at school, during meetings at work, or when reading and listening to other people's conversations. It can be challenging to complete everyday tasks such as remembering appointments or taking 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 the women who suffer from the inattentive type of the disorder may have difficulty organizing their home and desk. They may also have difficulty deciding how to prioritize their tasks. These problems can lead them to miss appointments, arrive in the wrong place at the correct time, or fail to follow through on their job responsibilities. These problems can make them feel bad about themselves, and they might blame themselves for their own problems.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to manage the demands of life, resulting in poor work or school performance and the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD, they are often triggered by stress or other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated due to the prejudices that teachers and parents may be prone to towards males and females. 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 in women who suffer from ADHD. For example, they can be more evident during the menstrual cycle or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
The use of stimulants can help increase the concentration of adults suffering from ADHD, but it won't solve the problem. Other strategies, like lifestyle changes, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in focusing and organization. Some schools and workplaces offer facilities to assist with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
The habit of forgetting can make juggling daily tasks and responsibilities difficult. It may be difficult to keep track of important details, especially if they occur in a noisy area. You may also end up having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to school or work. Women with ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or responding to emails, which can result in financial stress and a sense of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a noisy or crowded office, and you might get lost in conversations. This can make the other person feel unimportant or confused.
Many women and girls suffering from ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pushed into unintentional sexual activity or being victims of violence from intimate partners. This is because they have a difficult time regulating their emotions and are more likely to be overwhelmed. They may also have a problem with their self-esteem and they might view their issues as an "personal flaw" instead of realizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender biases due to gender bias, girls and women with ADHD are underdiagnosed as their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and boys. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which can cause a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can differ based on hormone fluctuations. This is especially the case during puberty when estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase. This can result in a wider variety of symptoms, making it more difficult to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can help you learn life skills to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and balanced meals and avoiding stimulants like caffeine, sugar and drinks with sugar which can aggravate symptoms. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help to calm your mind and decrease the impulsiveness and restlessness. They can also help improve the regulation of emotions. A mental health professional may be able to assist by discussing possible accommodations that can help you manage ADHD symptoms at work or at school.
3. treatment for adhd in women
In most cases, females with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than hyperactive or impulsive ones. It could 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 areas of the brain that control impulsive and disruptive behavior.
This means it is often difficult for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women devise strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others aren't sustainable and could cause other health problems. For example some women resort to alcohol or other drugs to deal with their symptoms. They may also be depressed or suffer from other mental health problems like anxiety. These unhealthy coping methods can make it difficult for someone to recognize they have a mental health problem and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom for women that can affect work or school performance and relationships. This includes being in a state of disorientation and not being able to focus on a specific task, or forgetting important events or tasks and being easily distracted by the surroundings or their thoughts. They may fidget or tap their hands or feet or squirm in their seat. They may also talk loud or yell, and they could be disruptive.
Women who suffer from the primarily inattentive subtype of adhd can struggle to concentrate on their lectures or conversations; keeping up with writing, reading or schoolwork; adhering to instructions at the workplace or in class and juggling daily tasks. They may be disorganized and forgetful. They can also be messy. It is often difficult to keep up with commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or lose 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 disorder can cause problems at home, work, or school. It can also lead to feelings of boredom, restlessness and anger. They are unable to wait for their turn in school, work, or home. They often interrupt others. They tend to act recklessly and aren't able to manage their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls with ADHD may have a harder to manage their symptoms than boys and men. This is largely due to the expectations of society, which demand that women and mothers are the primary caregivers of their children and their household. When a woman struggles to fulfill her obligations and obligations, it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult for her to seek treatment.
In addition, women with ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed as their symptoms aren't as evident as those of 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. Additionally they are more likely to develop coping strategies that mask their ADHD symptoms, including excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness that could be mistaken for symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADHD in women can vary at different times throughout the woman's life. For instance, during periods of hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy, women may find her ADHD symptoms to become more intense. This can cause her to be misunderstood or considered being emotionally overly sensitive.
This article is based upon research into how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology: chromosomal make-up, hormones, and anatomical structure, while gender is an internal sense of what you're like as a male, 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 differ between genders. In this article, we are referring to males as well as people who were assigned males at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females and those who were assigned females at conception as women and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. For more information, read the Verywell Health guide to gender and sexuality.