Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who suffer from ADHD often are not recognized as children due to the fact that the disorder appears differently in girls than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They are also more likely to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include drinking excessively and using substances, which mask their ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. They are also susceptible to co-existing disorders like depression and anxiety.
Attention
Women with inattentive ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things unattended around the house. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. It's also normal for these women to have trouble with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult for them to remember names or dates. These women also have difficulty staying still for long periods and aren't able to concentrate or follow instructions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more commonly associated with boys and men but the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common for women and girls. Around 80% of ADHD sufferers are considered inattentive. To be eligible for a diagnosis, you must show at least five ongoing inattention symptoms that last more than six months.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD are often harder to spot than other types of ADHD because a lot of people don't consider them as part of an issue or have different expectations for what a girl should be doing. Teachers and parents are therefore less likely to recommend ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change over time due to hormonal fluctuations. Women's symptoms can become more severe during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
These symptoms can have an impact on women's self-esteem as well as their satisfaction with life. These symptoms can cause feelings of shame and low-self-worth and can make it hard to manage relationships, work and home chores. Women who are not treated for ADHD may also experience depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual activities which increase the chance of having a baby, sexually transmitted infections and other health issues. They might also be unable to accept rejection from others, regardless of whether it is real or perceived. They may avoid social situations or avoid social situations as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD in girls and women. They might be more procrastinative, misplace things or have difficulty concentrating. They can also become overwhelmed by the busy environment. They may also have a hard time getting comfortable or falling asleep, and they may be more susceptible to mood fluctuation and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems at home, school and in relationships.
website and girls are often not considered for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more common between males and females. Health professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do male students. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis and an inability to treat.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to hide their struggles can mean that adults who have ADHD have a more significant impact than is typically reported. They may not even mention that they have difficulty concentrating at work or feel overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making decisions at the grocery store or have trouble to sleep or relax.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the underlying issue, they might adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This may include substance abuse or unhealthy eating habits. This can cause more problems over time, and may prevent the woman from getting the help she needs.
It is also possible because ADHD-linked behaviors are more popular with males and girls and women, they are repressed or concealed by girls and women who are worried about being judged. For instance, a child who suffers from ADHD might show excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being criticized for not fitting in with the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These issues can lead to a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. It is crucial for family members, friends and teachers to recognize these struggles in girls and women, because they could be an indication of an undiagnosed disorder that requires treatment by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Difficulties
Women with ADHD are more difficult in controlling their emotions than men. Their moods are more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms such as irritability and a feeling of inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These emotional issues can have a serious impact on relationships and career opportunities.
ADHD can be a challenge for both children and parents, but it is especially difficult for women. Women often feel embarrassed or ashamed about their ADHD which can prevent them from seeking assistance. Some women try to mask symptoms with coping strategies like excessive drinking or substance abuse which can make the situation more difficult. Masking can make it harder for teachers and employers to notice ADHD symptoms for women, and it could lead to delays in diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD might be able to effectively hide her symptoms in her adolescence and youth however, it can be more difficult as an adult. Stress from everyday life and pressures from society to excel in relationships and work can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These issues can leave women suffering from ADHD feeling like failures, low self-esteem, and constant stress. For some, a diagnosis of ADHD can be like an epiphany, helping them to understand the root cause of their issues and allowing them to accept themselves more fully.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at school or at work. They may be embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the accommodations they require is considered a sign of weakness or incompetence. Most teachers and supervisors are willing to make minor modifications to help individuals who suffer from ADHD achieve their goals.
Women suffering from ADHD who are looking for friends who can support them can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups offer a opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-Occurring conditions
As girls and women mature, they may develop strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize. Girls may dress and act like her peers in order to avoid being bullied or criticized by others. She could try to compensate for her impulsive, unorganized behavior by working more at school or at work, or using productivity apps to accomplish her tasks. These and other coping mechanisms can disguise the presence of ADHD in women and can delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are diagnosed with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, before they receive an official diagnosis of the disorder. These other conditions may conceal the presence and signs of ADHD. They can also make treatment more difficult.
Girls and women with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being impulsive or overly emotional, which can increase their frustration.
ADHD symptoms can cause women to have difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely than men to overlook birthdays and miss small details. This could lead to confusion and conflict. They also might be struggling to manage household chores, personal finances, and other responsibilities of daily life. These issues can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted and can create an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their worth and capability.
In clinical settings, gender bias can affect the frequency of women and girls who are being referred for an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes that described children suffering from ADHD symptoms and evaluated their likelihood to recommend or seek help for the child depicted. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
As with other types of illnesses, ADHD can vary in severity for individual patients and may be worsened at different times. For instance, symptoms could be more prominent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or the menopausal cycle. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and cause feelings of frustration and failure.