What ADHD Symptoms For Women Experts Want You To Know
ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD often report symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitive to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality sleep which can cause more symptoms.
Women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms more effectively than men and employ strategies to manage their stress and meet the social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis and a delay in treatment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Concentration is the most difficult issue for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to concentrate at school, during meetings at work, or when reading and listening to others talk. It can also be challenging to complete everyday tasks, such as keeping track of appointments or remembering to take your 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 who suffer from the inattentive version of the condition may struggle to organize their homes or at their desk and struggle to prioritize tasks, according to CHADD. These problems can result in being late for appointments, turning up at the wrong time or at the wrong place, or failing to complete their work duties. These issues can cause them to feel embarrassed about themselves and they may blame themselves for their own problems.
Inattentive ADHD can also lead to poor performance at work or in school, and the accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD in women, as per CHADD.
Teachers and parents could be biased against males and girls, leading to some women and girls to be underdiagnosed. 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, they can be exacerbated by hormonal changes. They can be more noticeable during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle which is the period leading up to a woman's menopause which is when estrogen levels decrease and can cause emotional issues like mood swings or irritation.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from stimulant medication to boost their concentration however, it cannot treat the condition. Other strategies, such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can also help in focusing and organization. Certain schools and workplaces offer accommodations to help with these issues too.
2. Forgetting Things
The habit of forgetting can make managing your daily chores and responsibilities difficult. It may be difficult to remember important details especially when they take place in a noisy setting. You may also find that you are often late for appointments or are late for work and school. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or reply to emails, which could result in financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a noisy or busy office, and you might be unable to concentrate during conversations. This could make the other person feel ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls who have ADHD also struggle to keep friendships. They are also at risk of being pushed into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of intimate partner violence. They are more likely than other people to be overwhelmed because they struggle to control their emotions. They could also be struggling with their self-esteem and may see their issues as a "personal flaw" instead of recognizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender biases Due to gender bias, girls and women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and boys. They are more likely to camouflage their symptoms by claiming mood or anxiety issues and this can lead to being misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.
ADHD symptoms can vary depending on fluctuations in hormones. This is particularly true during puberty, when hormone levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This can cause greater variance in symptoms from day to day, which can make it harder to identify and treat ADHD correctly.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can help you learn the life skills needed to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also consider lifestyle changes, like eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding caffeine, sugar and other stimulants that could cause symptoms to become worse. You can also try mindfulness techniques and meditation to relax your mind, reduce impulsiveness and restlessness and improve your emotional control. Talking to a mental health professional could be beneficial, since they can talk about possible accommodations at work or at school to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, women who suffer from ADHD experience more inattentive symptoms than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that girls and women have different brains than men and boys. It could also be due to the volume of brain activity areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
In the end, it is often difficult for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, while others are unsustainable and can cause other health problems. Women, for instance use excessive alcohol and other drugs to deal with their problems. They might also develop depression or other mental health problems like anxiety. These unhealthy ways of coping can make it difficult for people to recognize that they have mental health issues and delay the diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom for women that can affect school or work performance and relationships. They often include not staying focused on a task, forgetting important dates or events, and becoming easily distracted by other aspects of the surroundings or in their thoughts. They might fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm their seats. They may also yell or speak loudly, and they may interrupt.
Women who are inattentive are prone to having difficulty staying focused during lectures or conversations or completing schoolwork, reading, or writing assignments, following instructions in class or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized, forgetful, and messy. It can be difficult for them to stick with tasks or commitments. They are more likely to lose or lose items such as eyeglasses, wallets, and keys.
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 issues at work, home or at school. It can also trigger feelings of restlessness, boredom and frustration. They can't wait for their turn, whether at school, at work, or at home. They often interrupt others. They are prone to be reckless and are not able to control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD might find it difficult to manage their symptoms. This is due in part to societal expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When treatment for adhd in women to fulfill her obligations, it can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. This makes it more difficult for her to seek help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically not recognized as easily as men or boys because their symptoms do not appear as prominent. 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. They are also more likely to develop coping mechanisms that cover up their ADHD symptoms. For instance, excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD can also change over a woman's lifetime. Women can experience ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This could result in being dismissed or misinterpreted as an overly emotional woman which can increase her feelings of frustration.
The information in this article is based on research about how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a man, a woman, or, if non-binary, you're or a person. This distinction is crucial because it helps us understand the ways and reasons ADHD can manifest differently in men and women. In this article, we will refer to males and people who were assigned males at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females and those who were assigned female at conception as females and girls. This is in line with how many research studies use this terminology. To learn more, read the Verywell Health guide to gender and sex.