Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who suffer from ADHD often are not recognized as children, because 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.
These individuals are also more likely to develop unhealthy coping strategies that include drinking excessively and using substances that mask ADHD symptoms and delay an accurate diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like depression and anxiety are also common among these individuals.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might forget appointments or leave things unattended around the house. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping, and household chores. It's also common for these women to have trouble with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult for them to remember names or dates. They also have difficulty being still for long periods and are unable to focus or follow directions.
While hyperactivity and impulse control are more prevalent in males and females, the inattentive ADHD subtype is also prevalent in women and girls. Around 80% of ADHD sufferers are considered inattentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that last for more than six month to be eligible for a diagnosis.
The inattention symptoms of ADHD are often harder to identify than other kinds of ADHD because a lot of people don't think about them as part of a disorder or have different expectations about how a girl should behave. Parents and teachers are less likely to suggest ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
In addition, the way that ADHD affects women's lives can vary during different times of her life due to hormone changes. For example, a woman's symptoms may get worse during the menstrual cycle, if she is pregnant or when she enters menopausal.
These signs can have a significant impact on a woman's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. These symptoms can lead to feelings of guilt and low self-esteem, as they make it hard to manage relationships, work or home tasks. symptoms of adult adhd who suffer from untreated ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. They could also engage in sexual behavior which increase the risk for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also be afflicted by sensitization to rejection because they have difficulty accepting real or perceived negative responses from others. They might avoid social situations or isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD for women and girls. They are more likely to be procrastinators or misplace items or have difficulty concentrating on their tasks, and are easily overwhelmed in stressful environments. They might also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing and may be more susceptible to mood fluctuation and anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause problems in school, at home and in their relationships.
Girls and women are frequently overlooked for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Healthcare providers and teachers often do not recommend ADHD evaluations for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for male ones. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis as well as delays in treatment.
This, along with the tendency to hide their problems, could mean that adults who have ADHD have a more significant impact than is usually reported. They may not even mention that they are having trouble concentrating at work or are overwhelmed by household tasks. They may struggle to make decisions at the grocery store or have trouble to sleep or relax.
This can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Rather than addressing the underlying issue, they may develop unhealthy coping strategies, which may include alcohol addiction or poor eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time and prevent the woman from getting help that could change her life significantly.
It is also possible that because ADHD-linked behaviors are more acceptable in the social context of boys and men and women, they are repressed or hidden by girls and women who are worried about being ostracized. For instance, a child who suffers from ADHD may exhibit an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being judged for not fitting in with the standards of her community or school.
In the end, these issues can lead to a cycle of confusion and frustration for women with ADHD. It is crucial for family members, friends, and teachers to notice these struggles for women and girls, because they could be an indication of an undiagnosed disorder that must be treated by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Difficulties
Women with ADHD are more difficult in managing their emotions than men. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms such as irritability and a feeling of inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional issues could have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a slog for parents and children alike, but it's especially difficult for women. Women may feel embarrassed about ADHD and might not seek help due to this. They may even attempt to hide their symptoms through coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use, which can make the situation worse. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers and women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It can also delay the diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD may be able to effectively hide her symptoms in the adolescent years and in her youth, but it's more challenging when she's an adult. The stress of everyday life, along with the expectations from society to excel at work and in relationships, can cause ADHD symptoms. These challenges can leave women suffering from ADHD feeling a sense of self-doubt, a sense of inadequacy and a constant sense of anxiety. For some, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD could be an epiphany, helping people to recognize the root cause of their issues and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at work or school. They might be embarrassed to tell their supervisor or professor about their condition and worry that their accommodation is seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. Most supervisors and teachers are willing to make small adjustments to help those with ADHD 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 can provide an opportunity to share experiences and discuss the particular challenges of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-Occurring Conditions
As girls and women mature they can develop strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to recognize. A girl may dress and behave like her peers to avoid being bullied or rejected by other people. She may compensate for her impulsive, unorganized behavior by working more at school or at work or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other coping strategies could disguise the presence of ADHD in a female and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are diagnosed with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, before they are given a diagnosis for the disorder. These other conditions can mask the presence of ADHD and make it difficult to treat and recover.
Women and girls who suffer from 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 increases their feelings of anger.
Additionally many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to overlook birthdays and make mistakes with small details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They also might struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances and other daily responsibilities. These challenges can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed which can lead to an internal landscape of dysfunctional beliefs about their worth and capability.
The presence of gender bias in clinical settings can affect the frequency at which girls and women are referred to an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes describing children with ADHD symptoms. They also assessed their likelihood to recommend or seek services for the child in the. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
As with other illnesses, ADHD can vary in severity for each patient and can worsen at different periods. For instance, symptoms might be more severe during a woman's menstrual cycle or during menopausal or pregnancy. These changes can lead to difficulties with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of failure and frustration.