Female ADHD Symptoms
Females with ADHD often are not recognized as children due to the fact that the disorder is different in girls than it does in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These individuals are also prone to developing unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and drug abuse that cover up their ADHD symptoms and hinders an accurate diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are also common in these people.
Inattention
Women who aren't attentive ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They have a difficult time organizing their personal finances, record-keeping, and household chores. It is also common for women to experience problems with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult to remember names or dates. They also have a difficult time being still for long durations of time and have difficulty staying focused or following instructions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more commonly found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is equally prevalent for women and girls. Up to 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. You must have five symptoms of inattention that last for more than six month to qualify for a diagnoses.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to spot than other kinds of ADHD because many people don't consider them as a part of a disorder or have different expectations about what a girl should be doing. This is why parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can change as time passes due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance women's symptoms could get worse during the menstrual cycle, when she's pregnant, or when she enters menopausal.
These signs can have a major impact on a woman's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of guilt and low self-esteem, as they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual activities that can increase the chance of having a baby, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They may also experience the sensitivity to rejection since they have difficulty accepting negative or real responses from other people. They may avoid social situations or isolate themselves as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases the two are the first signs of ADHD for women and girls. They might be more procrastinative than usual, lose items or have trouble focusing. They may also become overwhelmed by the demands of their surroundings. They may also have trouble relaxing or falling asleep, and they may be more prone to mood fluctuation and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems at school, home and in relationships.
Because symptoms of ADHD are more common in males and females, women and girls may be omitted from a diagnosis. Health professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do male ones. This can result in an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
adhd in adult women symptoms , combined with the tendency to conceal their issues, can mean that adults who have ADHD have a more significant impact than is usually 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 hard to sleep or relax.
This could affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the underlying issue, they could develop unhealthy ways to cope. This may include substance abuse and unhealthy eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time, and hinder the woman from getting help that could improve her life in a significant way.
It is also possible that because ADHD-linked behaviors are more acceptable in the social context of males and girls, they may be suppressed or concealed by girls and women who fear being judged. For instance, girls who have ADHD may exhibit excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being shamed because they aren't in line with the norms of school or community.
In the end, these issues can lead to a cycle of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. It's important for family members, friends and educators to recognize these struggles for women and girls, since they may be a sign of an undiagnosed disorder that must be treated with medication management and therapy.
Emotional Difficulties
Women who suffer from ADHD have a harder time managing their emotions than men. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can lead to more severe symptoms like irritability and feeling of inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These emotional issues can have serious consequences for relationships and career opportunities.
ADHD can be a problem for children and parents alike, but it is especially difficult for women. adhd symptom adult can be shy about ADHD and may not seek help due to this. Some women try to cover up their symptoms by using coping strategies like excessive drinking or substance abuse however this could make the situation worse. Masking can make it harder for employers and teachers to detect ADHD symptoms for women, and can contribute to delay in diagnosis.
It's much easier for a woman who suffers from ADHD to hide her symptoms during her youth and adolescence than as an adult. The pressures of life, along with the expectations from society to excel at work and in relationships, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These challenges can leave women suffering from ADHD feeling like they are a victim of being insecure, self-esteem issues and a constant sense of anxiety. For some, getting an diagnosis of ADHD could be a lightbulb moment, helping them to understand the root cause of their issues and giving them the chance to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at school or at work. They may be shy to speak to a supervisor or professor and worry that their choice could be interpreted as an indication of incompetence or weakness. However, most supervisors and instructors are willing to make small accommodations to allow those with ADHD to succeed in their jobs.
Women with ADHD who are seeking friendly peers can also gain by joining online support groups. These groups offer the opportunity to share personal stories and discuss the unique issues of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring Conditions
As women and girls mature and develop, they may come up with strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to spot. For example the girl may try to dress and behave like her peers to avoid being a target for bullying or social rejection. She may compensate for her impulsive, disorganized behavior by working harder at school or at work or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the presence of ADHD in a woman and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Most often, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, prior to the time they receive an official diagnosis for the disorder. These other conditions may mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They can also make treatment more difficult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD also have a greater chance of having low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by coexisting mood disorders than males or boys. They may be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or excessively emotional, which adds to their angst.
In addition there are women who have issues in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to miss birthdays and make mistakes with minor details. This can cause miscommunication and conflict. They also may be struggling to manage housework, personal finances and other daily responsibilities. These difficulties can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can lead to a dysfunctional internal landscape of their beliefs about their worth.
In clinical settings, gender bias can affect the frequency at which girls and women are referred to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes about children with ADHD symptoms. They also evaluated their likelihood to recommend or seek help for the child depicted. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
ADHD, like other conditions that are similar to other conditions, can be different in severity and worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms could be more prominent during the menstrual cycle of a woman or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can cause difficulties with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They can also contribute to feelings of failure and frustration.