What Is ADHD Symptoms For Women And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?
ADHD Symptoms For Women Women suffering from ADHD experience emotional instability and sensitivity towards rejection. They may also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep, which could make symptoms worse. Girls and women often hide their ADHD symptoms better than males by employing coping strategies to meet social expectations and norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delay in treatment. 1. Difficulty Focusing Focusing is the biggest challenge for many women with ADHD. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to stay on task at school, in work meetings, or even when reading or listening to others talk. It can be difficult to complete daily tasks, such as remembering appointments or taking medication. 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 disorder may be struggling to organize their home or their work desk and have difficulty focusing on tasks according to CHADD. These issues can cause them to miss appointments, arrive in the wrong place at the correct time or fail to keep up on their tasks. They can also cause them to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for their problems and think they are incompetent or forgetful. Inattention ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to manage responsibilities, leading to poor school or work performance and the accumulation of debt. They can be caused by stress or other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression that are often associated with ADHD in women, according to CHADD. Teachers and parents might be biased towards males and females, which can cause some girls and women to be underdiagnosed. 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 increase symptoms for women who suffer from ADHD. They can be more evident during menstrual cycles or perimenopausal periods, the run-up to the menopausal phase of a woman which is when estrogen levels decrease and can cause emotional issues like mood swings and irritation. Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulant medication to improve their concentration however, it cannot treat the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help with focus and organization. Certain schools and workplaces have facilities that can help with these issues. 2. Forgetting Things Inattention can make managing daily chores and responsibilities difficult. You may find it difficult to remember important details particularly when they happen in a noisy setting. You may also end up not remembering appointments or being late to work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or responding to emails, which can lead to financial stress and a sense of urgency. You might have trouble working in a busy or noisy workplace and frequently lose focus during conversations, leaving the other person to feel ignored or misunderstood. Many girls and women with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or being victims of intimate partner violence. This is because they have a more difficult managing their emotions and are more likely to feel overwhelmed. They might also have a problem with their self-esteem, and may view their issues as an “personal flaw” instead of realizing that their behavior may be linked to their ADHD symptoms. Because of gender bias Due to gender bias, girls and women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are more subtle than those of males and boys. They might be more likely to conceal their symptoms as anxiety or mood problems which could lead to being misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated. The symptoms of ADHD vary with hormone fluctuations and, particularly during puberty when progesterone levels drop and estrogen rises. This can cause greater variance in symptoms throughout the day, which can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat ADHD effectively. Diagnosed and treated, you will learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also consider lifestyle changes, for example, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding caffeine, sugar and other stimulants that may cause symptoms to become worse. It is also possible to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to relax your mind, decrease impulsiveness and restlessness and improve your emotional control. Talking to an expert in mental health can also be helpful, as they can suggest possible adjustments at school or at work that might help you manage your ADHD symptoms better. 3. Disruptive Behavior In most cases, women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be because women and girls have different brains than boys and men. Or it could be due to the level of brain activity areas that control impulsive behavior. This means it is often difficult for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, but others are unsustainable and can result in other health issues. For example, some women turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to manage their symptoms. They might also develop depression or have other mental health issues like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it difficult for people to notice that they are suffering from a condition and delay a proper diagnosis. Disruptive behavior is one of the most common symptom of adhd in women. It can impact their academic or work performance, as well as their relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a task, ignoring important events or tasks, and being easily distracted by other things in the surroundings or in their thoughts. They might fumble or tap their hands or feet or squirm their seats. They may also yell or talk loudly, and can interrupt. add women with the predominantly inattentive subtype of adhd can struggle to concentrate on their lectures or conversations and juggling writing, reading, or schoolwork; following instructions at the workplace or in class and managing daily tasks. They are often disorganized, messy, and forgetful and find it difficult to keep track of commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or lose items like 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 lead to problems at home, at work and in schools, and can trigger feelings of anxiety, boredom, and frustration. They are unable to wait for their turn in school, at work, or at home. They often interrupt others. They are not able to control their behavior and are likely to be reckless. 4. Anxiety Girls and women with ADHD may have a harder to manage their symptoms than males and females. This is largely due to societal expectations that demand that mothers and women be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD struggles to manage her responsibilities, she could be afflicted with anxiety and stress which can lead to low self-esteem. This makes it more difficult to seek treatment. In addition, women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed as their symptoms are not 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 more likely to develop coping strategies which mask their ADHD symptoms. For such a good point , excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness could be interpreted as signs of anxiety disorders. The symptoms of ADHD for women can vary at different times throughout the woman's life. For instance, during times of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycles or pregnancy, a woman could discover her ADHD symptoms to become more intense. This can cause her to be misunderstood, or thought of as a woman who is excessively emotional. This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people depending on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. whereas gender refers to an internal sense of being a woman, man, or nonbinary person. This distinction is important as it helps us to better comprehend how and why ADHD manifests differently in women and men. This is why throughout this article we refer to males and those assigned to male at birth (AMAB) as men and boys as well as women and people assigned to female at birth (AFAB) as girls and women. This is in line with how many research studies use this term. For more information, read the Verywell Health guide to gender and sexuality.