ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD report emotional volatility and sensitivity towards rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality of sleep which can make symptoms worse.
Girls and women are typically better at concealing their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to comply with social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis as well as an inability to treat.
1. Problems with Focusing
For a lot of women suffering from ADHD focus is the most difficult thing to do. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school, during meetings at work or while reading or listening to others' conversations. It can be difficult to accomplish everyday 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. According to CHADD women who suffer from the inattentive type of the disorder may have difficulty organizing their home and their desk. They might be unable to prioritize tasks. These problems could cause them to skip appointments, show up in the wrong place at the correct time or fail to keep up on their tasks. They can cause them to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for their shortcomings believing they're lazy or forgetful.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also make it hard to manage responsibilities, leading to poor work or school performance and an accumulation of debt. They can be triggered by stress or other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Certain women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated due to the prejudices 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 cause symptoms in women who suffer from ADHD. For example, they can become more noticeable during the menstrual cycle or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopausal, when estrogen levels decrease and can cause emotional issues, including mood swings and anger.
Stimulant medications can help increase the concentration of adults suffering from ADHD, but it won't solve the problem. Other strategies, including lifestyle changes, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help with focus and organization. Some workplaces and schools have facilities that can assist with these issues, as well.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make managing daily tasks and responsibilities challenging. You may struggle to remember important information about people or events particularly when they occur in a noisy or crowded environment. You may also find that you frequently forget appointments or get late for work and school. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails, which can lead to financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You may experience difficulties working in a crowded or noisy workplace and frequently get lost in conversations, causing others feeling disregarded or untruthful.
Many women and girls 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 intimate partner violence. This is due to the fact that they have a harder time regulating their emotions and are more likely to become overwhelmed. They may also struggle with their self-esteem and may be more inclined to see their issues as "personal imperfections" instead of acknowledging the fact that their behavior is correlated to their ADHD symptoms.
Due to gender bias Due to gender bias, girls and women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms are more subtle than those of males and boys. They may be more likely to camouflage their symptoms by claiming mood or anxiety issues which could lead to being misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated.
ADHD symptoms can be different based on fluctuations in hormones. This is especially evident during puberty, as hormone levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This can cause greater variance in symptoms throughout the day, which can make it more difficult to recognize and manage ADHD properly.
Diagnosed and treated, you can learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, for example, eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants that may cause symptoms to worsen. You can also try meditation and mindfulness techniques to help calm your mind, decrease the impulsiveness and anxiety, and improve emotional regulation. Talking to an expert in mental health can also be helpful, as they can suggest possible adjustments at work or at school that might aid in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD are more inattentive than hyperactive or the symptoms of impulsivity. This could be due to the fact that women and girls have different brains than boys and men. Or add symptoms in adult women could be due to the volume of activity in the brain areas that control impulsive behavior.
In the end, it can be harder for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping mechanisms to mask their symptoms. adhd symptoms in adult women are healthy, while others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. Women, for instance use excessive alcohol and drugs to cope. They may also become depressed or suffer from other mental health conditions such as anxiety. These unhealthy ways of coping can make it difficult for people to recognize they have mental health issues and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a typical adhd symptom in women that can affect school or work performance and relationships. They can be a problem when they are incapable of staying focused on a specific task, or forgetting important events or tasks, and being easily distracted by the surroundings or their thoughts. They might fidget, tap their feet or hands or squirm. They may also talk loudly or yell, and they can be interruptive.
Women who are inattentive may have trouble concentrating during lectures or conversations or completing schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following directions in class or at work, 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 eyeglasses, wallets, and keys.
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 lead to feelings of agitation, boredom, and frustration. They have a tough time waiting for their turn at home, school, or in the workplace and often interrupt other people. They have a tendency to be reckless and are not able to control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can have a harder time coping with their symptoms than men and boys. This is partly due to societal expectations that demand that women and mothers are the primary caregivers for their children and their household. If a woman suffering from ADHD is unable to manage her obligations, she may be afflicted with anxiety and stress that lead to low self-esteem. This makes it more difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
Women with ADHD are not often recognized as easily as boys or men because their symptoms do not seem to be as apparent. 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 that mask their ADHD symptoms. For example, excessive fidgeting or forgetfulness can be mistaken as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADHD in women can differ at different times during the woman's lifetime. Women can be afflicted with ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstruation and pregnancy. This can cause her to be misunderstood, or thought of as a woman who is emotionally overly sensitive.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. whereas gender refers to the internal feeling of being a man, woman or a nonbinary. This distinction is crucial because it helps us comprehend the reasons behind why ADHD manifests differently in men and women. In this article, we will refer to males and people who were assigned males at birth as boys and males. We also refer to females and those who were assigned females at conception as women and girls. This is in line with how many research studies employ this term. To learn more, read Verywell Health's guide to gender and sexuality.