ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD have reported emotional instability and sensitivity to rejection. They may also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep, which could cause the symptoms to become worse.
Women and girls are often more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms and coping mechanisms to conform to social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis as well as an inability to treat.
1. Trouble focusing
Concentration is the most difficult issue for many women suffering from ADHD. Symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to stay on task at school, during meetings at work, or when reading and listening to other people's conversations. It can be difficult to accomplish daily tasks like keeping track of appointments or taking medications.
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 with the inattentive form of the condition may be struggling to organize their homes or at their work desk and have difficulty focusing on tasks according to CHADD. These issues can result in them not attending appointments, showing up at the wrong time or place, or failing to complete their work tasks. They may also cause them to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for their problems, thinking they are lazy or forgetful.
Attention-deficit ADHD can lead to poor performance at work or in school and can also lead to debt accumulation. They can be triggered by stress or other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression that are often associated with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Certain women and girls who suffer from inattentional ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized due to the prejudices that parents and teachers may have toward boys and men. 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 caused due to hormonal changes. They can be more noticeable during menstruation or perimenopause, the run-up to menopausal symptoms as estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus however, it cannot cure the condition. Other strategies, such as lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also aid in focusing and organization. Some workplaces and school have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make it difficult to stay on top of daily tasks or manage obligations. You may struggle to remember important information about events or people particularly when they take place in a crowded or noisy environment. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. 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 might have trouble working in a busy or noisy office, and you might be unable to concentrate during conversations. This can cause the other person to feel unimportant or confused.
adhd women uk and girls who have ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They are also at risk of being pushed into sexually inappropriate behavior or becoming intimate partner violence victims. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed because they are unable to manage their emotions. They may also have a problem with their self-esteem and may see their problems as an "personal flaw" rather than realizing that their behavior may be linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias, women and girls with ADHD are underdiagnosed as their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and boys. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which can lead to a misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD vary with hormone fluctuations particularly during puberty, when progesterone levels drop and estrogen increases. This can lead to a wider range of symptoms, which makes it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Finding a doctor and getting treatment can help you develop the life skills needed to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, like eating a well-balanced diet and limiting sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that could cause symptoms to worsen. It is also possible to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to help calm your mind, reduce the impulsiveness and anxiety and improve your emotional control. A mental health professional may be able to assist you by discussing possible accommodations that could help you manage ADHD symptoms at school or at work.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In most cases, women who suffer from ADHD have more irritable symptoms than those who are hyperactive or impulsive. This could be due to the fact that women and girls have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the volume of brain activity areas that control impulsive behavior.
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't sustainable and can lead to other health issues. For instance some women resort to drinking or using drugs to deal with their symptoms. They may also develop depression or other mental health problems like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it more difficult for someone to notice that they are suffering from a condition and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom that affects women and can affect work or school performance and relationships. They often include not staying focused on a particular task, not remembering important dates or events, and being easily distracted by other aspects of the environment or in their minds. They may fidget, shake their feet or hands, or shake their hands. They may also yell or talk loudly, and can interrupt.
Women who suffer from the primarily inattentive type of adhd may have trouble concentrating on conversations or lectures as well as keeping up with writing, reading, or schoolwork; following instructions at the workplace or in class and juggling daily tasks. adhd in young women can be disorganized, messy, and forgetful and have a difficult time keep track of commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace 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, at home, and at school, and can lead to feelings of agitation or boredom. They can't wait for their turn in school, at work, or home. They are also known to interrupt others frequently. They are not able to manage their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD may have a harder time to cope with their symptoms. This is due to societal expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman suffering from ADHD is unable to fulfill her responsibilities, she could experience heightened feelings of anxiety that lead to low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult to seek treatment.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD frequently have a difficult time getting diagnosed as 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. They are more likely to develop coping mechanisms that cover up their ADHD symptoms. For example the excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD may also change throughout the life of a woman. Women can be afflicted with ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstruation and pregnancy. This could result in her being misunderstood or dismissed as a terribly emotional woman which can increase her feelings of frustration.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology: chromosomal make-up hormones, hormones and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of who you are as a man, woman, or, if nonbinary, an individual. This distinction is crucial because it allows us to better comprehend how and why ADHD manifests differently in women and men. In this article, we are referring to males and those who were assigned male at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females as well as people who were assigned females at conception as girls and women. This terminology is used in a variety of research studies. For more information, read Verywell Health's guide to sex and gender.