ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional volatility and an sensitivity to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality of sleep which can cause more symptoms.
Women and girls are often better at concealing their ADHD symptoms by using coping strategies to conform to social expectations and norms. adhd in women signs could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For many women with ADHD concentration is the most challenging thing. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school or during work meetings as well as when reading or listening to other people talk. It can be challenging 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 condition may be struggling to organize their homes or at their work desk and struggle to prioritize tasks, according to CHADD. These difficulties can lead to them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or at the wrong place or not completing their tasks. They can make them feel ashamed of themselves and blame themselves for their shortcomings believing they are lazy or forgetful.
Attention-deficit ADHD can also lead to poor performance at work or in school and can also lead to debt accumulation. According to CHADD they can be triggered by stress or other mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Teachers and parents may be biased against boys and men, causing some women and girls to be overlooked. 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 in adult women with ADHD. For instance, they may become more noticeable during menstrual cycles, or during perimenopause, which is the time before menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues, including mood swings and anger.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulant medications to boost their concentration however, it cannot cure the condition. Other strategies such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can also assist with organization and focus. Some workplaces and schools have facilities that can assist with these issues as well.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make it difficult to keep track of daily tasks or manage obligations. It may be difficult to keep track of important details, especially if they occur in a noisy setting. You may also end up not remembering appointments or being late to work or school. Not being able to pay your bills or reply to emails is common in women suffering from ADHD, which can create financial stress and leave you feeling stressed. You might have trouble working in a crowded or noisy workplace and frequently lose focus during conversations, causing the other person to feel disregarded or untruthful.
Many girls and women with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being forced into unwanted sexual activity or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than other people to feel overwhelmed because they struggle to control their emotions. They may also be struggling with self-esteem, and may view their difficulties as an "personal flaw" instead of realizing that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias, women and girls with ADHD are not diagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of men and boys. They are more likely to conceal their symptoms by claiming mood disorders or anxiety and this can lead to being misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.
ADHD symptoms can be different based on fluctuations in hormones. This is especially true during puberty, when hormone levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can cause a greater range of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Diagnosed and treated, you can learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also alter your lifestyle by eating an appropriate diet and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and sugary drinks that can worsen symptoms. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help calm your mind and reduce restlessness and impulsiveness. They can also help improve emotional regulation. Talking to an expert in mental health can be beneficial, as they can suggest possible adjustments at school or at work to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In the majority of cases, women with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be because girls and women have different brains than men and boys. It could also be due to the volume of brain activity areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
In the end, it can be difficult for a doctor to recognize and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others aren't sustainable and could cause other health problems. For instance, some women use excessive alcohol and drugs to cope. They may also be depressed or have other mental health issues like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it more difficult for someone to recognize they are suffering from a disorder and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom in women that can affect school or work 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 the surroundings or in their thoughts. They might fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seat. They may also yell or talk loudly, and they may interrupt.
Women who are inattentive may have trouble staying focused during lectures or conversations or completing schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following directions in the classroom or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized, forgetful, and messy. It can be challenging for them to stick with tasks or commitments. They are more likely to lose or misplace items such as glasses, wallets, keys and even wallets.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of disorder can cause problems at home, at work, and at schools, and can lead to feelings of agitation or boredom. They have a tough time waiting for their turn at school, home, or in the workplace and are often disruptive to other people. They aren't able to control their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have a difficult time coping with their symptoms than males and females. This is largely due to societal expectations that insist that mothers and wives be the primary caregivers for their children and their household. If a woman with ADHD is unable to fulfill her responsibilities, she could feel anxious and stressed that lead to low self-esteem. This, in turn, could make it difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed because their symptoms are not as evident as those of boys and men. 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. In addition, they are more likely to develop coping strategies that cover up their ADHD symptoms, like excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness, which could be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can also change at different times in the woman's lifetime. Women can experience ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This could cause her to be viewed as a victim of prejudice or dismissed as being emotionally overly sensitive.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, including chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. whereas gender is a subjective sense of being a man, woman, or nonbinary person. This distinction is important as it allows us to better understand how and why ADHD manifests differently in men and women. In this article, we will refer to males and those who were assigned males at birth as boys and men. We also refer to females and people who were assigned female at conception as girls and women. This is consistent with how many research studies employ this terminology. For more details, refer to the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.