Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who have ADHD often go undiagnosed as children due to the fact that the disorder appears differently in girls than it does in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They are also more likely to develop unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, which mask their ADHD symptoms and delay the accurate diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are also common in these individuals.
Attention
Women with inattentive ADHD typically have a difficult time to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They may miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They struggle to organize personal financial records, household chores. These women are also more likely to forget names and dates, and also suffer from memory problems. They also have trouble staying still for long periods of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is equally prevalent for women and girls. In fact, it's estimated that up to 80% of all ADHD sufferers are not attentive. You must have five symptoms of inattention that last for longer than six months to be able to receive a diagnosis.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to identify than other types of ADHD because a lot of people don't see them as part of an illness or have different expectations about what a girl's behavior should be. Parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
In addition, the way that ADHD affects a woman can vary during different times of her life because of hormone changes. Women's symptoms can become more severe during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal symptoms.
These issues can affect women's self-esteem as well as their satisfaction with her life. They can lead to feelings of shame and low self-worth because they make it hard to manage relationships, work and home tasks. Women who are not treated for ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. They could also engage in sexual behavior which increase the risk for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also have difficulty accepting rejection from others, regardless of whether it is real or perceived. They might avoid social situations or isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases the two are the first signs of ADHD in women and girls. They might be more procrastinative, misplace things or have difficulty concentrating. They can also become overwhelmed by the busy environment. They may also have a hard time sleeping or relaxing and are more susceptible to mood fluctuations and anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause difficulties at the classroom, at home, and in their relationships.
Girls and women are often left out of the diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Teachers and healthcare providers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male students. This can lead both to an incorrect diagnosis and 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 normally reported. For instance, they may not have trouble focusing at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making choices at the grocery store or have trouble finding the time to relax or sleep.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they may develop unhealthy coping strategies that could include substance addiction or poor eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time and prevent the woman from getting help that could improve her life significantly.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more accepted by males and females in social settings it is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide their ADHD-related behaviors out of fear of being disregarded. For instance, a child who suffers from ADHD might display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being shamed for not conforming to the norms of her community or school.
In the end, these issues can create a vicious cycle of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. It is crucial for family members, friends, and teachers to notice these struggles in women and girls as they can be a sign of an undiagnosed disorder that needs to be addressed with medication management and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women suffering from ADHD typically have a harder time than men to manage their emotions. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms like irritability or a feeling of inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of anxiety and depression. These emotional difficulties may have serious implications for career and relationships.
ADHD can be a challenge for both children and parents however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women can feel shy about ADHD and may not seek help because of this. Some women may try to cover up their symptoms by using strategies to cope, such as excessive drinking or drug use which can make the situation worse. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers to recognize ADHD symptoms for women, and can contribute to delay in diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD may be able to successfully hide her symptoms during the adolescent years and in her youth, but it's more challenging when she's an adult. The pressures of daily life, along with the social pressures to be successful at work and in relationships, can increase ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women with ADHD feeling like they're failing and low self-esteem. They can also cause chronic distress. The diagnosis of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for some women. It can aid them in understanding the root of their issues and allow them to feel more comfortable with themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to get support at work or school. They may feel embarrassed telling a professor or supervisor, and they may worry that the accommodations they require could be considered an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of supervisors and instructors will make small accommodations to allow people with ADHD to perform their job.
In addition to locating people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit by joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups give members the opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring Conditions
As women and girls grow up, they can develop coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for others to detect. A girl might dress and act like her peers to avoid being bullied or criticized by other people. Or, she may try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting in more effort at work or school or relying on productivity apps to get tasks accomplished. These and other coping strategies can mask the presence of ADHD in women and delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
Women and girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before receiving an official diagnosis. These other disorders can disguise the presence of ADHD, as well as complicate treatment and recovery.
Girls and females with ADHD also have a higher chance of having low self-esteem and are more likely to be affected by co-existing mood disorders than men or boys. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or excessively emotional, which adds to their frustration.
ADHD symptoms can also cause women to experience difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely than men to miss birthdays and make mistakes with small details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They also might struggle to keep up with housework, personal finances and other obligations of the day. These challenges can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted which can create an unhealthy internal landscape of self-esteem and beliefs.
In clinical settings, gender bias also affects the number of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In symptoms of adhd , Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms. They also rated how likely they were to recommend or seek services for the child in the. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
ADHD, like other conditions is a condition that can be severe and worsen at various times. For example, symptoms may be more prominent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or the menopausal cycle. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, as well as cause feelings of frustration and disappointment.