ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitive to rejection. They may also experience insomnia and low quality sleep, which may make symptoms worse.
Girls and women are typically better at masking their ADHD symptoms by using coping strategies to meet societal expectations and norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For many women with ADHD, focusing is the biggest challenge. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder could make it difficult to concentrate at school, during meetings at work, or when reading and listening to others ' conversations. It can also be difficult to manage everyday tasks, such as 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. Women suffering from the inattentive type of the condition may struggle to organize their homes or at their work desk and have difficulty focusing on tasks, according to CHADD. These problems can result in them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or place, or failing to complete their work tasks. These issues can cause them to feel bad about themselves, and they might blame themselves for their own problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD can also lead to poor performance at work or in school and can also lead to the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD they can be triggered by stress or other mental conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Teachers and parents could be biased towards boys and men, causing some women and girls to be misdiagnosed. 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 for women who suffer from ADHD. For example, they can become more noticeable during menstrual cycles, or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopausal, when estrogen levels decrease and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
The use of stimulants can help improve concentration for adults with ADHD, but it won't cure the condition. Other strategies, such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can help with organization and focus. Some schools and workplaces have facilities that can assist with these issues, as well.
2. Forgetting Things
It can be difficult to stay on top of daily activities or take care of obligations. It can be difficult to remember important details, especially if they occur in a noisy environment. You may also find yourself having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to work or school. Women with ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails, which could cause financial stress and a sense of urgency. You may experience difficulties working in a crowded or noisy office. You may also lose focus during conversations, causing others feeling ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls with ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unintentional sexual activity or being victims of violence from intimate partners. This is because they have a difficult to manage their emotions and are more likely to be overwhelmed. They may also have a problem with their self-esteem, and they might view their difficulties as something that is a "personal flaw" instead of realizing that their behavior may be linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias Due to gender bias, girls and women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed as their symptoms are more subtle than those of males and boys. They may be more likely to camouflage their symptoms with mood disorders or anxiety, which can result in being misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations particularly during puberty, when estrogen drops and progesterone increases. This can lead to a wider range of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Diagnosed and treated, you will learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, such as eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to worsen. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can relax your mind and reduce restlessness and impulsiveness. They also aid in improving the regulation of emotions. A mental health professional could be able to assist you by discussing possible accommodations that could help you manage ADHD symptoms at work or at school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, females with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those who are hyperactive or impulsive. This could be because girls and women have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the amount of brain activity areas that control impulsive behavior.
This means it can be difficult for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, however others are not sustainable and could cause other health problems. For example, some women turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to cope with their symptoms. They might also develop depression or suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies may make it difficult for people to notice that they have a problem and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom that affects women and can impact school or work performance and relationships. These include being unable to stay focused on a particular task, ignoring important events or tasks, and easily getting distracted by the surroundings or their thoughts. They might fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm their seats. They can also yell or talk loudly, and can interrupt.
Women who have the inattentive subtype are prone to having difficulty staying focused during lectures or conversations, keeping up with schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following directions in classes or at work, and juggling daily tasks. They may be unorganized, messy, and forgetful and find it difficult to follow through on commitments or tasks. They 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 disorder can cause issues at home, at work and at school, and it can lead to feelings of agitation and boredom. It can also cause frustration. They have a tough time waiting for their turn at school, home or in the workplace and often interrupt others. They aren't able to control their behavior and are likely to behave in a reckless manner.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can have a harder to manage their symptoms than men and boys. This is largely due to social expectations that insist that mothers and women be the primary caregivers for their children and their household. If a woman is struggling to meet her responsibilities this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it harder to seek treatment for her ADHD.
Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed because 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. Furthermore 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.
The signs of ADHD in women can also vary at different times throughout the woman's lifetime. Women can experience ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This can cause her to be misunderstood, or considered a woman who is excessively emotional.
adult add women in this article is based on research about how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology: chromosomal makeup hormones, hormones and anatomical structure, while gender is an internal perception of the person you are as a man, a woman, or if non-binary, you're an individual. This distinction is important because it enables a better understanding of how and the ways that ADHD manifests can vary between genders. This is why throughout this article we refer to men and people assigned to male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys, and to women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. To learn more, read Verywell Health's guide to sex and gender.