ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional instability and sensitive to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor quality of sleep which can make symptoms worse.
Women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms better than males and employ strategies to cope with social expectations and norms. This can lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
For many women with ADHD focus is the biggest challenge. This neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to concentrate at school in meetings at work or while reading or listening to others' conversations. It can be challenging to complete 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 the women who suffer from the inattentive version of the disorder may struggle to organize their home and their desks. They might be unable to prioritize tasks. These difficulties can lead to them missing appointments, showing up at the wrong time or location or not completing their work duties. They may cause them to feel ashamed of themselves and blame themselves for their troubles and think they are incompetent or forgetful.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to manage the demands of life, resulting in poor school or work performance as well as the accumulation of debt. They are often triggered by stress or other mental health issues, including depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD in women, according to CHADD.
Teachers and parents may be biased towards males and females, which can cause some girls and women 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.
For adult women who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be caused by hormonal changes. For instance, they may be more apparent during menstrual cycles, or during perimenopause--the run-up to menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues which include mood swings as well as irritability.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulant medication to boost their concentration however, it cannot treat the condition. Other strategies, including lifestyle changes, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also aid in focusing and organization. Some schools and workplaces offer facilities to assist with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make it difficult to keep track of your daily activities or take care of responsibilities. It may be difficult to remember important details, especially if they occur in a noisy setting. You might also find yourself having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or reply to emails, which can lead to financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You may experience difficulties working in a noisy or busy office, and you might get lost in conversations. This could make the other person feel unimportant or confused.
Many women and girls with ADHD also have difficulty maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pushed into unintentional sexual activity or becoming victims of intimate partner violence. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they have difficulty regulating their emotions. They may also struggle with self-esteem, and may be more inclined to see their issues as "personal flaws" instead of recognizing the fact that their behavior is correlated to their ADHD symptoms.
Females and females who suffer from ADHD are also often overlooked because of gender bias because their symptoms are less noticeable than those of boys and men. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which could lead to a misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.
ADHD symptoms can differ based on hormone fluctuations. This is especially true during puberty, when hormone levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can result in a wider range of symptoms, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Diagnosed and treated, you can learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also change your lifestyle, such as eating an appropriate diet and avoiding stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and sugary drinks that could worsen symptoms. It is also possible to practice meditation and mindfulness techniques to relax your mind, decrease impulsiveness and restlessness, and improve emotional regulation. Talking with an expert in mental health can be beneficial, as they can discuss possible accommodations at school or at work to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women with ADHD tend to experience more sluggish than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that girls and women have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the amount of activity in the brain areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
As a result, it can be difficult for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't long-lasting and could lead to other health issues. Women, for instance, turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to manage. They may also be depressed or suffer from mental health issues like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it difficult for people to recognize they are suffering from a disorder and can delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is among the most common adhd symptoms for women. It can impact their work or school performance, or even their relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a particular task, not remembering important dates or events, and being easily distracted by other aspects of the environment or in their minds. They may fidget, tap their hands or feet or squirm. They can also talk out loud or yell. they could be disruptive.
Women who have the most inattentional type of adhd might struggle to concentrate on lectures or conversations as well as keeping up with writing, reading or schoolwork; adhering to instructions at work or in class; and juggling their daily chores. They may be unorganized and messy and have a difficult time keep track of commitments or tasks. They are more susceptible to misplacing or losing things, including 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 type of adhd can cause issues at work, home or in school. It can also trigger feelings of irritability, boredom, and frustration. They are unable to wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or home. They also interrupt others frequently. They are not able to control their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD might find it difficult to cope with their symptoms. This is due to the social expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When a woman struggles to meet her responsibilities this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. adhd in adult women treatment , in turn, can make it harder to seek treatment for her ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed as easily as males or females because their symptoms don't 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 also more likely to develop coping strategies that mask their ADHD symptoms. For instance excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness can be mistaken as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can also differ at different times during the woman's lifetime. Women may be afflicted with ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This can lead to being viewed as an overly emotional woman, which adds to her sense of frustration.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different individuals based on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomical structure, while gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a male, a woman, or, if non-binary, an individual. This distinction is crucial because it allows us to better understand the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in women and men. For this reason, throughout this article we will refer to males and those assigned male at birth (AMAB) as men and boys as well as women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. To learn more, read Verywell Health's guide to gender and sex.