Female Symptoms of ADHD
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, instead of the hyperactivity and impulsivity more typically seen in males and girls. This makes them more vulnerable to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor as well, since caregivers may think that girls who are quiet or who seem withdrawn and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who flies off the walls of his school. While this is one type of ADHD females and girls also suffer from the disorder in this form. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are often harder to identify than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed and not treated.
In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD display impulsive behaviors that make it difficult to stop and consider their actions prior to acting. More Bonuses may not be able to listen well when others are talking, and they may have difficulty following instructions or working through tasks. These issues can cause frustration and confusion in relationships with family, friends, romantic partners and coworkers.
Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. Combined with low self-esteem and a lack of social relationships which can make it difficult for a woman to deal with her ADHD symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at various periods during the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger irritability and mood swings, as well as difficulty in concentrating.
Diet, exercise and sleeping habits can help women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It also helps to ease stress and anxiety that are common among women with ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from activities can also help with ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists, and post-it notes to track tasks can be beneficial to many people with ADHD. In certain cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Girls and women with inattention ADHD are often not diagnosed until symptoms are severe. They struggle to keep up at school, their homes may be messy, and they face issues with relationships and performance. They might attempt to cope by hiding their problems or by convincing themselves they're not affected by these issues.
Gender bias is also a factor that plays in the absence or incorrect diagnoses. If More Bonuses displays hyperactive or impulsive behaviors, he's more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. In contrast girls who display inattention symptoms could be dismissed as dreamy, space cases or silly.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You might miss appointments, fail to adhere to your commitments or find it difficult to stay focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You can't wait your turn and you constantly interrupt other people while you talk. Your memory is poor and you often lose things or forget where you put them. You have trouble following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also become more severe when hormonal changes take place, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. This makes it harder to focus at work or at home, and makes it harder to keep friends or reach goals in life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, that can boost your concentration and mood. Regular exercise can also help you burn off extra energy and ease depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD typically experience more anxiety and mood symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. The gender roles that are expected of girls make it difficult for girls to admit they're struggling, and they are more likely to camouflage ADHD symptoms with other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting in girls and women. 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 the natural reaction to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and exhausting, but it's an excellent thing because it keeps you alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly when something is not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can also trigger a range of physical symptoms including sweating, jitteriness, and an increased heart rate (palpitations). People who suffer from frequent or severe anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. This is a type of panic disorder in which you have recurring, unexpected panic attacks; phobias, which are the result of a heightened fear of specific objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior control your life; and separation anxiety disorder, where you fear being away from your home or your family.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the incorrect time, or be so absorbed in their tasks that they miss out on social interactions. This can cause them to appear unfocused, aloof or inconsiderate of others. Good sleep habits will help you avoid time blindness. Therefore try to maintain an established bedtime and take time to do something relaxing, such as reading, listening music, or meditating before you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD are often struggling to stay organized. They may struggle to keep track of their appointments, schedules, and belongings. Their home, office and car could be overflowing with clutter and their purses could be full of receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work and in their personal lives.
Women also have trouble speaking their thoughts in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or utter things without thinking about the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can differ between days because of hormonal fluctuation. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation, and during the menstrual cycle which can increase ADHD symptoms. These changes in symptom severity could be why many women with ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved in ADHD in males and females as well as the stigma against diagnosing women suffering from the condition. 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.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms with medications and other treatments. With the right help they can succeed in school, at work and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and assist them to overcome everyday challenges, while the use of behavioral therapy and other specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to keep them at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often have problems with controlling their impulses. This is because the brain part that makes decisions and considers the consequences isn't working as well. This could lead to a tendency for people to act or say things without considering the potential consequences, which could result in negative effects. For adult add symptoms , impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or cause damage to relationships. It could also lead to reckless behaviors, such as sexual.
Someone suffering from ADHD may develop a number of coping mechanisms that assist them in overcoming their inability to control impulses. These might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to comfort themselves. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also cause problems.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may struggle to recognize a problem in their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their problems and so cover up their problems. This can make it harder for people to recognize their symptoms and delay a diagnosis.
Additionally, girls and women with ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than boys or men. They may be less attentive, and suffer from mood disorders or anxiety like depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be mistakenly diagnosed than men or boys with ADHD.
ADHD is still a disorder that affects millions of people, despite the increasing awareness. It is more common in early adulthood and adolescence, when people are juggling school or work. Parents and teachers should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she needs.