Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed among girls because it presents differently than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also have a tendency to develop unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, that mask their ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like depression and anxiety are also common among these individuals.
Attention!
Women with inattention ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They are unable to keep track of their finances chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. It is also common for women to experience issues with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult to remember dates or names. These women also have difficulty staying still for long periods and are unable to concentrate or follow directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is equally prevalent in girls and women. Up to 80% of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. You must have five symptoms of inattention that last for more than six month to be able to receive a diagnosis.
Inattention ADHD symptoms are often difficult to spot because they don't view them as a disorder, or have different expectations of how girls should act. Because of adhd symptoms in women , parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD assessments for girls than they are for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change as time passes due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms may worsen during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause.
These issues can have a negative impact on a woman’s self-esteem and her satisfaction with her life. These symptoms can cause feelings of self-doubt and shame and can make it difficult to manage relationships, work or home chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience depression and anxiety. They can also engage in sexual behavior that increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other health issues. They may also have difficulty accepting rejection from others, whether it's real or not. They may avoid social situations or even isolate themselves as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. They may be more likely to be procrastinators or misplace items and have difficulty focusing on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in busy environments. They may also have difficulties falling asleep or relaxing, and may be more susceptible to mood swings or anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause difficulties at the classroom, at home, and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more common for both genders, women and girls may be overlooked as a possible diagnosis. Health professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male students. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Along with the tendency to hide their struggles This could suggest that people with ADHD experience a greater impact of the condition than typically reported. They may not even mention that they struggle to concentrate at work or are overwhelmed by household tasks. They may have difficulty making decisions at the supermarket or have trouble finding the time to sleep or relax.
This could affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they might adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This may include substance abuse or unhealthy eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time, and hinder the woman from seeking help that could improve her life dramatically.
Since ADHD-related behavior is more accepted by males and females in social settings it is possible that women and girls might hide or suppress from fear of being rejected. For example, a girl with ADHD may exhibit an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being shamed for not fitting in with the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
In the end, these issues can result in a cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these issues, as they may be indicators of a disorder that has not been diagnosed. This condition can be treated with medication and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women with ADHD are more difficult in controlling their emotions than men. The moods of women with ADHD are more likely to fluctuate due to hormonal changes throughout the day, which may cause symptoms like anxiety and feelings of being unsatisfied. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional issues could be detrimental to career and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a challenge for parents as well as children however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women often feel embarrassed or ashamed about their ADHD and this may prevent them from seeking assistance. Some women try to hide their symptoms using coping strategies like excessive alcohol or drug abuse however this could make the situation more difficult. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers as well as women themselves, to identify ADHD symptoms. It can delay diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD might be able to manage to hide her symptoms throughout her adolescence and youth however it becomes more difficult when she's an adult. Stress from daily life and the pressures of society to be successful in relationships and work can cause more ADHD symptoms. These challenges can leave women with ADHD feeling like they are a victim of being insecure, self-esteem issues and a constant sense of anxiety. For some, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD could be a lightbulb moment that helps them to understand the root cause of their difficulties and giving them the chance to accept themselves more fully.
Many women with ADHD are unable to find support at work or school. They may feel embarrassed about confiding in a professor or supervisor and may be concerned that the support they require is perceived as an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, most supervisors and instructors will make small adjustments to enable those with ADHD to perform their jobs.
Women with ADHD who are seeking supportive peers can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups give members the opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring conditions
As women and girls become teenagers, they develop coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms which makes it more difficult for others to notice. For example, a girl might try to dress and act more like her peers to ward off the attention of bullies or social rejection. She could also try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting more effort into school or at work, or using productivity apps to get tasks done. These and other strategies for coping could conceal the presence of ADHD in a woman and can delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are diagnosed with other mental health disorders like depression or anxiety, before they receive a diagnosis for the disorder. These other conditions could mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They may cause complications in treatment.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or overly emotional, which can increase their anger.
Additionally there are women who have issues in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and to make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. They may also struggle to keep up with housework, personal finances and other responsibilities of daily life. These difficulties can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted which can lead to an internal shambles of untrue beliefs about their worth and capability.
In clinical settings, gender bias also affects the number of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms. They then assessed their likelihood to recommend or seek services for the child depicted. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
ADHD as with other conditions, can vary in severity and worsen at different times. For instance, symptoms could be more prominent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during menopausal pregnancy. add symptoms in women can lead to difficulties with social functioning, relationships, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.