ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women who suffer from ADHD have reported emotional instability and sensitivity towards rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor sleep quality, which can exacerbate symptoms.
Women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms better than men and employ strategies to cope with the social expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis or an inability to treat.
1. Problems with Focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school in meetings at work or while reading or listening to other people talk. It can be challenging to complete everyday 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. adult add in women with the inattentive form of the disorder may have trouble organizing their homes or at their desks and may struggle to prioritize tasks, according to CHADD. These problems can lead them to miss appointments, show up at the wrong place at the correct time, or fail to follow through on their job responsibilities. They may also cause them to feel bad about themselves and blame themselves for their shortcomings, thinking they're lazy or forgetful.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also make it hard to stay on top of responsibilities, leading to poor school or work performance and the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD, they can be triggered either by stress or other mental conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Teachers and parents might be biased against males and girls, leading to some girls and women 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 adult women who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be caused due to hormonal changes. For instance, they may be more evident during menstrual cycles or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and cause emotional problems such as mood swings and irritation.
Stimulant medications can help enhance concentration in adults suffering from ADHD However, it can't solve the problem. Other strategies, such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can also help in focusing and organization. Some workplaces and school have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make managing daily chores and responsibilities difficult. It may be difficult to remember important details, especially if they occur in a noisy setting. You may also end up forgetting appointments or running late to work or school. Inability to pay bills or respond to emails is common in women with ADHD and can cause financial stress and make you feel overwhelmed. You may have difficulty working in a crowded or loud office and often lose focus during conversations, causing the other person feeling disregarded or untruthful.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They also run the risk of being pushed into unwanted sexual behavior or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than other people to be overwhelmed because they struggle to control their emotions. They may also struggle with self-esteem and could be more likely to view their issues as "personal flaws" instead of recognizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also not diagnosed due to gender bias as their symptoms are less obvious than the symptoms of men and boys. They can disguise symptoms as anxiety and mood disorders, which could lead to a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
ADHD symptoms can vary depending on the fluctuation in hormone levels. This is especially evident during puberty, as estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This can cause more frequent change in symptoms from day to day, which can make it harder to recognize and manage ADHD correctly.
Finding a doctor and getting treatment can help you gain life skills to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also change your lifestyle, such as eating healthy and balanced meals and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and drinks with sugar which can aggravate symptoms. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can to calm your mind and decrease restlessness and impulsiveness. They also aid in improving the regulation of emotions. Talking to an expert in mental health can be beneficial, as they can suggest possible adjustments at work or school to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In the majority of cases, women who suffer from ADHD experience more inattentive symptoms than hyperactive or impulsive ones. That may be because the brains of girls and women differ from those of men and boys or it could have to do with how much activity is taking place in the regions of the brain responsible for managing disruptive and impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be difficult for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women devise strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, however others are not sustainable and could cause health issues of other kinds. For example some women resort to drinking or using drugs to manage their symptoms. They might also develop depression or other mental health conditions such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping methods can make it difficult for someone to recognize that they have an issue with their mental health and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom that affects women and can impact school or work performance and relationships. They can be a problem when they are unable to stay focused on a specific task, forgetting important events or tasks, and being easily distracted by the surrounding environment or their thoughts. They might fumble or tap their hands or feet or squirm in their seats. They can also yell or talk loudly, and can interrupt.
Women who have the most inattentional type of adhd might have trouble concentrating on their lectures or conversations as well as keeping up with reading, writing or schoolwork; following instructions at school or at work; and managing daily tasks. They are often disorganized and messy and have a difficult time follow through on commitments or tasks. navigate to these guys are more likely to lose or misplace things like glasses, wallets, keys and even wallets.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of adhd can cause trouble at home, at work, and at school, and can cause feelings of restlessness or boredom. They have a tough waiting for their turn at school, home, or in the workplace and they frequently interrupt others. They are not able to control their behavior and tend to behave recklessly.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to manage their symptoms. This is due to societal expectations that demand women and mothers be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When a woman struggles to meet her responsibilities and obligations, it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult for her to seek treatment.
Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty getting diagnosed as their symptoms aren't as pronounced as those of boys and men. 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. In addition they are more likely to develop coping strategies that cover up their ADHD symptoms, like excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness, which could be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of ADHD for women can differ at different times during the woman's life. Women may suffer ADHD symptoms during hormonal changes such as menstruation and pregnancy. This can cause her to be misunderstood or considered being overly emotional.
This article is based on research on how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. whereas gender refers to the internal feeling of being a woman, man, or nonbinary person. This distinction is crucial as it allows for a better understanding of the ways and the ways ADHD manifests can vary between genders. In this article, we are referring to males and people who were assigned male at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females and people who were assigned females at conception as females and girls. This is in line with how numerous research studies employ this term. For more information, check out the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.