Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls since it presents differently 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 like drinking excessively and using substances that cover up their ADHD symptoms and hinders an accurate diagnosis. Other conditions that coexist, like anxiety and depression, are also common in these individuals.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD typically have a difficult time to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They might forget appointments or leave things unattended around the house. They struggle to keep the track of their finances chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. It's also common for women to experience issues with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult to remember dates or names. They also have a difficult time sitting still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following instructions.
While impulse control and hyperactivity are more prevalent in boys and men but the inattention ADHD subtype is also common in women and girls. As high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. To qualify for a diagnosis, you must have at least five ongoing inattention symptoms that last more than six months.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be harder to spot because they don't see the symptoms as a problem, or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Because of this, parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can also change in time due to hormonal fluctuations. Women's symptoms can worsen during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms.
These symptoms can have a profound effect on women's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of guilt and low self-esteem and can make it difficult to manage relationships, work or household chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might also suffer from depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of having children and sexually transmitted diseases as well as other health issues. They may also be afflicted by sensitization to rejection because they have a hard time accepting real or perceived negative reactions from others. They might avoid social situations or even isolate themselves as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Impulsivity and hyperactivity can be the first indications of ADHD for women and girls. They may be more likely to be procrastinators or misplace items or have difficulty concentrating on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in a busy environment. They may also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing, and may be more susceptible to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can cause problems at school, home and in relationships.
Because symptoms of ADHD are more common for both genders however, girls and women may be omitted from a diagnosis. Teachers and health professionals typically do not suggest ADHD assessments for female students or colleagues as often as they do for males. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delay in response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to hide their issues, this can mean that adults with ADHD have a more severe impact from the condition than is typically reported. They might not mention that they are having trouble concentrating at work or feel overwhelmed by household tasks. They might struggle to make choices at the grocery store or find it difficult to sleep or relax.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root problem, they could develop unhealthy coping strategies, which may include alcohol use or poor eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time, and hinder the woman from getting help that could improve her life dramatically.
It is also possible because ADHD-linked behaviors are more popular with boys and men and women, they are repressed or hidden by women and girls who are concerned about being judged. For instance, girls with ADHD may exhibit excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being judged because they don't fit in with the norms at school or community.
Ultimately, these factors can create a vicious cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. It is essential for family members, friends and educators to recognize these struggles for women and girls, as they can be a sign of a disorder that is not recognized and needs to be addressed by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Problems
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions than males. Their moods are more likely fluctuate as a result of hormonal fluctuations throughout the day, which can increase symptoms such as irritability and feelings of inadequacy. Women with ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional problems could be detrimental to career and relationships.
ADHD can be a challenge for parents and children alike but it can be especially difficult for women. Women can feel embarrassed about ADHD and may not seek help due to this. They may attempt to hide their symptoms through coping strategies such as excessive alcohol or substance use, which can cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers as well as women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It may also delay diagnosis.
It is easier for women who suffers from ADHD to conceal her symptoms during her youth and adolescence than when she becomes an adult. The pressures of daily life, combined with social pressures to be successful at work and in relationships, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women suffering from ADHD feeling like failures as well as low self-esteem and constant stress. For some, the diagnosis of ADHD can be like an epiphany, helping them understand the root of their issues and helping them accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD are unable to find support at school or at work. They may feel embarrassed about telling a supervisor or professor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the accommodations they require could be perceived as an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, most supervisors and instructors will make small adjustments to enable people with ADHD to succeed in their jobs.
In addition to finding supportive peers, women with ADHD can benefit from joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups offer a an opportunity to share stories and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring conditions
As girls and women grow older and develop, they may come up with strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to spot. adult adhd signs may dress and act like her peers to avoid being bullied or rejected by peers. Or, she may try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting in more effort at work or school or relying on productivity apps to get her tasks accomplished. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the existence of ADHD in females and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Women and girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions can obscure the symptoms and presence of ADHD. They can also make treatment more difficult.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being too emotional or temperamental, which further contributes to their feelings of anger.
Additionally many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely to forget birthdays or miss important details, which can lead to conflict and confusion. They may also be struggling to manage housework, personal finances and other daily responsibilities. These difficulties can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted and can create an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their worth and capabilities.
Gender bias in clinical settings can affect the frequency that women and girls are recommended for an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a classroom to read vignettes that described children who had ADHD symptoms and to rate how likely they were to recommend or find services for the child portrayed. They found that participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
ADHD as with other conditions that are similar to other conditions, can be different in severity and deteriorate at various times. For instance, symptoms may be more severe during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy. These changes can lead to problems with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of failure and frustration.