Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls because it is different than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These individuals also tend to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse that cover up their ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like anxiety and depression, are also common in these individuals.
Attention!
Women with inattentive ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things in the house unattended. They are unable to keep track of their finances chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. These women also tend to forget names and dates, and also suffer from memory problems. They also have trouble being still for long durations of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following directions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more commonly found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is equally prevalent in girls and women. As high as 80% of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that persist for more than six month to be able to receive a diagnosis.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD are often harder to spot than other kinds of ADHD because a lot of people don't see them as a part of an illness or have different expectations about how a girl should behave. Teachers and parents are therefore less likely to recommend ADHD testing for girls than boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms may also change over time due to hormonal fluctuations. For example women's symptoms could be more severe during the menstrual cycle, when she is pregnant or when she enters menopausal.
These issues can affect a woman’s self-esteem and her satisfaction with her life. These symptoms can cause feelings of shame and low-self-worth, as they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home tasks. Women with untreated ADHD may also experience anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behavior which increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as well as other health issues. They may also experience the sensitivity to rejection since they have difficulty accepting negative responses from others. They may avoid social situations or isolate themselves as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. They may be more likely to delay or misplace items and have difficulty focusing on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in busy environments. They may also have difficulties falling asleep or relaxing, and could be more prone to mood swings and anxieties. These symptoms can cause problems at school, home and in relationships.
Girls and women are often overlooked for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Teachers and healthcare professionals often do not recommend ADHD evaluations for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for male students. This can result in an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Along with the tendency to hide their struggles This could result in adults suffering from ADHD suffer more from the condition than typically reported. For instance, they may not have trouble focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They might struggle to make decisions when shopping or have trouble finding the time to relax or sleep.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they might adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This could include substance abuse or unhealthy eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time, and hinder the woman from seeking assistance that could improve her life dramatically.
Since ADHD-related behavior is more accepted by males and boys it is possible that girls and women may suppress or hide them out of fear of being disregarded. For instance, girls with ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being criticized because they aren't in line with the norms of school or community.
In the end, these issues can lead to a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these struggles because they could be signs of an undiagnosed disorder. This condition is treatable by medication and therapy.
Emotional Troubles
Women with ADHD typically have a harder time than men to control their emotions. The moods of women with ADHD are more likely to fluctuate as a result of hormonal changes throughout the day, which may cause symptoms like irritability and feelings of inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These emotional issues could be detrimental to career and relationships.
Having ADHD can be a slog for both parents and children however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women can be embarrassed about ADHD and may not seek help because of this. Some women try to cover up their symptoms by using coping strategies like excessive drinking or substance abuse, but this can make the situation worse. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers to notice ADHD symptoms in women, and it can contribute to delays in diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD may be able to successfully hide her symptoms during the adolescent years and in her youth however it becomes more difficult as an adult. Stress from everyday life and pressures from society to perform well in work and relationships can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These struggles can leave many women with ADHD feeling like they are a victim of failure, low self-esteem and chronic distress. For some, getting the diagnosis of ADHD can be like an epiphany, helping them understand the root cause of their difficulties and helping them accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at school or at work. They may be embarrassed to tell their supervisor or professor about their condition and worry that their accommodation could be interpreted as a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, This Internet page of supervisors and instructors are willing to make minor adjustments to enable those with ADHD to succeed in their jobs.
In addition to locating female friends who are supportive, women with ADHD can benefit from joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups give members the opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-Occurring conditions
As girls and women mature and develop, they may come up with strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to spot. A girl may dress and act like her peers in order to avoid being bullied or criticized by others. She could also compensate for impulsive and disorganized behavior by working harder at work or school or relying on productivity apps to get tasks accomplished. These and other strategies for coping can mask the presence of ADHD in a woman and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with depression or anxiety before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions could conceal the presence and signs of ADHD. They can also make treatment more difficult.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem and other mood disorders. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or overly emotional, which increases their angst.
In addition, many women have difficulty in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to miss birthdays and to make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They may also struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances and other daily responsibilities. These challenges can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted, which can fuel an internal chaos of self-esteem and beliefs.
The presence of gender bias in clinical settings can also affect the rate that women and girls are referred to an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a class to read vignettes that described children who had ADHD symptoms and to rate how likely they were to recommend or seek services for the child they described. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services for boys than for girls.
ADHD as with other conditions is a condition that can be severe and worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms can be more prominent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or the menopausal phase. These changes can lead to difficulties with relationships, social functioning, and academic performance. They can also lead to feelings of failure and frustration.