Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed among girls because it is different than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They are also prone to developing unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, which mask their ADHD symptoms and delay the accurate diagnosis. These individuals are also prone to coexisting conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Attention!
Women who aren't attentive ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They may miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They have a difficult time organizing their personal financial records, household chores. They are also more likely to forget names and dates, and also suffer from memory issues. They also have difficulty staying still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following instructions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females but the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common for women and girls. Around 80% of ADHD sufferers are considered inattentive. To qualify for a diagnosis, you must have at least five continuous inattention-related symptoms that last longer than six months.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be harder to spot because they don't perceive them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Teachers and parents are therefore less likely to suggest ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can also change in time due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, a woman's symptoms may get worse during the menstrual cycle, while she's pregnant, or when she enters menopausal.
These signs can have an impact on a woman’s self-esteem and her satisfaction with her life. These symptoms can lead to feelings of shame and low-self-worth, as they make it difficult to manage relationships, work or home tasks. Women who are not treated for ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. They can also engage in sexual behavior that increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also have difficulty accepting rejection from others, whether it is real or perceived. They may avoid social interactions or isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD in girls and women. They may procrastinate more than usual, lose items or have trouble focusing. They may also be overwhelmed by the demands of their surroundings. They may also have trouble falling asleep or relaxing, and could be more prone to mood swings and anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause problems at school, at home and in their relationships.
Women and girls are often not considered for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more common for both genders. Teachers and health professionals typically do not suggest ADHD evaluations for female students or colleagues as often as they do for male students. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis as well as an inability to treat.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to hide their issues, can mean that adults who have ADHD experience a greater impact than is usually reported. For instance, they might not have trouble focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making choices at the store or find it difficult to relax or sleep.
I Am Psychiatry can negatively impact their self-esteem. Rather than addressing the underlying issue, they may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that may include alcohol addiction or eating habits that are unhealthy. This can make the problem worse over time and prevent the woman from seeking help that could improve her life dramatically.
It is also possible that because ADHD-related behaviors are more popular with boys and men however, they could be repressed or concealed by girls and women who fear being judged. For example, girls with ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being judged because they aren't in line with the norms of school or in the community.
Ultimately, these factors can create a vicious cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. It is crucial for family members, friends and educators to notice these struggles in women and girls since they may be a sign of a disorder that has not been diagnosed and must be treated by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Difficulties
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to have a harder time than men to control their emotions. 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 inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional difficulties can have serious implications for relationships and career opportunities.
Having ADHD can be a slog for parents as well as children however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women often feel shamed or embarrassed by their ADHD, and this can hinder them from seeking assistance. They may even attempt to hide their symptoms through strategies for coping, like excessive drinking or substance abuse, which can actually make the situation worse. Masking can make it more difficult for employers and teachers to recognize ADHD symptoms in women, and it can contribute to delay in diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD may be able manage to hide her symptoms throughout her youth and adolescence however it becomes more difficult when she's an adult. Stress from everyday life and pressures from society to excel in work and relationships can cause more ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women with ADHD feeling like failures as well as low self-esteem and ongoing stress. A diagnosis of ADHD could be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can aid them in understanding the root of their issues and allow them to feel more comfortable with themselves.
Many women with ADHD have difficulty finding support at work or school. They may be embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor, and they may worry that the accommodation they need is perceived as an act of weakness or incompetence. The majority of teachers and supervisors are willing to make small adjustments to help those with ADHD succeed in their work.
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 an opportunity to share stories and discuss women's ADHD difficulties.
Co-Occurring conditions
As girls and women become teenagers, they develop coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult for others to detect. For example girls may attempt to dress and behave like her peers in order to avoid the attention of bullies or social rejection. She could try to compensate for her chaotic, impulsive behavior by working harder at school or at work, or using productivity apps to accomplish her tasks. These and other coping strategies can disguise the existence of ADHD in females and delay the diagnosis for her in adulthood.
Girls and women with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions could conceal the presence and signs of ADHD. They may also make treatment more difficult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD also have a greater risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders that coexist. This is more so than boys or men. They may be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or excessively emotional, which adds to their angst.
Additionally, many women have difficulty in their relationships because of ADHD symptoms. They tend to forget birthdays or misunderstand minor details which can cause conflicts and confusion. They may also struggle to keep up with housework, personal finances and other obligations of the day. These issues can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted, which can fuel a dysfunctional internal landscape of self-esteem and beliefs.
In clinical settings, gender bias affects the rate of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes about children with ADHD symptoms. They also assessed their likelihood to recommend or seek services for the child depicted. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
Like other illnesses, ADHD can vary in severity for each patient and can worsen at different periods. For instance, symptoms may be more pronounced during the menstrual cycle or during menopausal or pregnancy. These changes can cause problems with relationships, social functioning and academic performance, and also result in feelings of anger and failure.