ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD have reported emotional instability and sensitivity to rejection. They can also experience insomnia and poor quality sleep, which can cause symptoms to get worse.
Girls and women are generally more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms by using coping strategies to meet societal expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis and delays in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
Concentration is the most difficult issue for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to concentrate at school, during meetings at work or while reading or listening to other people talk. It can also be difficult to get through daily tasks, like keeping track of appointments or making sure to take 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 suffering from the inattentive type of the disorder might have trouble organizing their house or work desk and have difficulty focusing on tasks, according to CHADD. These difficulties can lead to them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or place or not completing their work duties. These problems can make them feel uneasy about themselves, and they could blame themselves for their own problems.
Inattentive ADHD can also result in poor performance at school or at work, and the accumulation of debt. They can be triggered by stress or other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur with ADHD in women, as per CHADD.
Some girls and women with inattentional ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated because of biases that teachers and parents may have towards men and boys. 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.
Hormonal changes can also exacerbate symptoms for women who suffer from ADHD. They can be more evident during menstrual cycles or perimenopausal periods that is the time leading up to the menopausal phase of a woman as estrogen levels drop and cause emotional problems like mood swings or irritation.
Stimulant medications can help increase the concentration of adults suffering from ADHD However, it can't cure the condition. adhd in women adult , including lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in organizing and focus. Certain schools and workplaces have facilities that can assist with these issues, too.
2. Forgetting Things
It can be difficult to stay on top of daily activities or take care of the responsibilities. You may struggle to remember important details about events or people particularly when they take place in a noisy or crowded environment. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. Women with ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or reply to emails, which can cause financial stress and a sense of urgency. You might have trouble working in a noisy or crowded office, and you might zone out during conversations. This could make the other person feel ignored or misunderstood.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD also struggle to keep friendships. They are also at risk of being forced into inappropriate sexual behaviour or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. This is because they have a more difficult to manage their emotions and are more likely to become overwhelmed. They may also have a problem with their self-esteem and they might view their difficulties as an "personal fault" instead of realizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender biases, women and girls with ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of males and boys. They may be more likely to camouflage their symptoms by claiming mood or anxiety issues, which can result in being misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.
ADHD symptoms can be different based on the fluctuation in hormone levels. This is especially the case during puberty when estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels increase. This can result in a wider range of symptoms, making it harder to identify and manage ADHD.
Diagnosed and treated, you will learn to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also change your lifestyle, such as eating healthy and balanced meals and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and drinks with sugar which can aggravate symptoms. You can also try meditation and mindfulness techniques to relax your mind, decrease the impulsiveness and anxiety, and improve emotional regulation. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial, as they can discuss possible accommodations at work or school to help you manage your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In the majority of cases, women with ADHD experience more inattentive symptoms than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that women and girls have different brains than males and females. Or it could be due to the level of activity in the brain 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, while others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. For instance, some women turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to cope with their symptoms. They may also develop depression or other mental health conditions such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it more difficult for someone to recognize that they are suffering from a condition and can delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom in women that 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 things in their surroundings or in their thoughts. They may fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seats. They may also speak out loud or yell. they can be interruptive.
Women who have the most inattentional type of adhd might struggle to concentrate on conversations or lectures and juggling reading, writing, or schoolwork; following instructions at work or in class; and juggling daily tasks. They are often disorganized, messy, and forgetful and have a difficult time adhere to commitments or tasks. They are more vulnerable to misplacing or losing items, including keys, wallets, and eyeglasses.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This subtype can cause problems at work, at home or at school. It can also cause feelings of boredom, restlessness and frustration. They are unable to wait for their turn, whether at school, at work, or at home. They also interrupt others frequently. They aren't able to manage their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might find it difficult to cope with their symptoms. This is due in part to the expectations of society that require women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD is unable to manage her responsibilities, she can be afflicted with anxiety and stress that lead to low self-esteem. This makes it harder to seek treatment.
In addition, women with ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed because their symptoms aren't as pronounced as the men and boys. 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 also more likely to develop coping mechanisms that cover up their ADHD symptoms. For instance, excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be mistaken as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary at different times throughout the woman's life. For example, during periods of hormonal changes, like menstrual or pregnancy, a woman could notice her ADHD symptoms to become more severe. This can cause her to be misunderstood, or dismissed as an overly emotional.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a man, a woman, or if nonbinary, a person. This distinction is crucial because it enables a better understanding of how and why the ways in which ADHD manifests can differ between genders. In This Webpage , we refer to males and those assigned to male at birth (AMAB) as men and boys as well as women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) as girls and women. This terminology is used in a variety of research studies. For more details, refer to the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.