Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to show inattentive symptoms, as opposed to the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more common in boys and men. This makes them more likely to be missed and often misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes of gender can be a factor caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a hyperactive boy who bounces off the walls at school. While this is a type of ADHD females and girls also suffer from the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are typically more difficult to spot than boys. This results in the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
In some instances women with ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to pause and think about their actions before committing. They may not be able to listen to others when they are speaking, and may have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These difficulties can lead them to irritability and miscommunications with family, friends and romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD have rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman with ADHD to manage, particularly in the case of low self-esteem or difficulty in peer relationships.
ADHD symptoms in women can appear at various times, including during pregnancy, menstruation and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritability and may cause problems with concentration.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are able to control their symptoms with diet, exercise and sleep habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost attention and concentration. It also helps to ease anxiety and stress that are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from activities can also help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. In some instances medical professionals may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD often don't get diagnosed, even when symptoms are severe. They have a difficult time keeping up at school, their homes may be messy, and they face issues with relationships and performance. They may attempt to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or convincing themselves that they're not affected.
Gender bias can play in the absence or incorrect diagnosis. When a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior and is more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. In contrast girls who exhibit inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space cases, dreamy or uninteresting.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You may forget appointments, not adhere to your commitments or struggle to stay focused during meetings or classroom lectures. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others when you're talking. Your memory is poor and you often lose things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions, and you tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also be exacerbated when hormonal changes occur that occur, like during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal perimenopausal (the run-up to menopause). It can be difficult to pay attention to work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or reach life goals.
Regular exercise can help control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, which can improve your focus and mood. Regular exercise can aid in burning extra energy and reduce anxiety or depression symptomsthat are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD tend to experience more anxiety and mood issues than impulsivity or hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to admit that they have issues due to gender-based expectations. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by concealing other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting among women and girls. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and painful, but it's actually a good thing: it keeps you alert to possible dangers and helps you respond quickly when something is not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms including sweating, jitteriness, and a rapid heartbeat (palpitations). People who suffer from frequent, severe, or disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you have recurring unplanned panic attacks) as well as phobias (where you are extremely terrified of certain things or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with "time blindness". They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at an wrong time or location, or become so distracted by their tasks that they forget social interactions. This can make them appear distant, unfocused or inconsiderate of other people. A good night's sleep can aid in avoiding time blindness. Therefore make sure you have your bedtime routine and then do something relaxing such as listening to music, reading, or meditating before you go to sleep.
4. hop over to this site with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may struggle to keep track of their schedules, appointments and possessions. Their car, home and office could be cluttered and their handbags filled with receipts, 17 different chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inability to remember and lack of organization can make it difficult to establish and maintain their personal and work relationships.
Women may also have difficulty saying what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things without considering the implications. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women can vary between days due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest around ovulation, and during menstrual cycle which can cause ADHD. These symptoms could be why many women with ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD, in addition to the differences in biology between males and women in terms of brain structure and chemical. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
If women are given a clear diagnosis of ADHD, they can learn to manage their symptoms by using medication and other treatment strategies. With the right support they can succeed in school, at work and in their private lives. Medication can help improve concentration and help with everyday challenges. Therapy for behavior and apps for smartphones can also be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD tend to struggle with controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and thinks about consequences doesn't work as well. This could lead to an inability to do or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can result in financial difficulties or relationships that are damaged. It could also lead to dangerous behaviors like sexual.
A person with ADHD may develop a number of coping strategies to assist them in overcoming their inability to control impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or drugs, or comforting yourself by eating food are all options. A poor diet or lack of sleep can cause problems.
Women and girls with ADHD may have trouble recognizing a problem in their behavior. They may find it hard to explain their problems and therefore, they may conceal their issues. This makes it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
In addition women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to display their symptoms differently than men or boys. They might be more inattentive and have a greater incidence of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors can contribute to the fact women and girls with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than men or boys.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects many millions of people, despite increasing awareness. It's most prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to cope with the demands of their work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD in order to receive the assistance she requires.