Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who suffer from ADHD often are not recognized as children due to the fact that the disorder is different in girls than it does in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also tend to develop unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive alcohol and substance abuse, that mask their ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like depression and anxiety, are also common in these people.
Attention!
Women with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. adhd in adult women symptoms may miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They struggle to organize personal financial records, household chores. It is also common for women to experience issues with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult to remember names or dates. They also have difficulty being still for long durations of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following instructions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more frequently associated with males and boys, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is just as common for women and girls. Up to 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. You must have five inattentive symptoms that persist for more than six month to be able to receive a diagnosis.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to recognize because they don't see them as a disorder, or have different expectations of how girls should behave. This is why parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change as time passes due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, a woman's symptoms may become more severe during her menstrual cycle, while she's pregnant or as she enters menopause.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on women's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. They can cause feelings of guilt and self-worth devaluation because they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home tasks. Women with untreated ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behaviors which increase the likelihood of having children sexually transmitted infections, as well as other health issues. They may also have difficulty accepting rejection from others, regardless of whether it's real or not. As a result, they might avoid social situations and become more isolated.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. They are more likely to procrastinate or misplace items and have difficulty focusing on their tasks, and are easily overwhelmed in busy environments. They may also have trouble relaxing or falling asleep, and they may be more prone to mood swings and anxiety. These signs can cause problems at home, school and in relationships.
Because symptoms of ADHD are more common in boys and men however, girls and women may be omitted from a diagnosis. Healthcare professionals and teachers don't recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male ones. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delay in response to treatment.
This, combined with the tendency to conceal their issues, can mean that adults who have ADHD suffer more than is normally reported. They might not mention that they are having trouble concentrating at work or are overwhelmed by household tasks. They may struggle to make decisions when they go to the grocery store or find it difficult to relax or sleep.
This could negatively impact their self-esteem. Rather than addressing the underlying issue, they may develop unhealthy coping strategies, which could include substance addiction or eating habits that are unhealthy. This can cause more problems over time, and may prevent the woman from getting the help she requires.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more accepted by males and females in social settings it is possible that girls and women might hide or suppress them out of fear of being judged. For example, a girl who suffers from ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being criticized for not fitting in with the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These causes can create a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. It is essential for family members, friends and teachers to be aware of these issues in women and girls since they may be an indication of an undiagnosed disorder that must be treated with medication management and therapy.
Emotional Troubles
Women with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions than men. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms such as irritability and a feeling of inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These emotional problems can have serious consequences for relationships and career prospects.
ADHD can be a major challenge for parents and children alike but it can be especially difficult for women. Women often feel embarrassed or ashamed about their ADHD which can make it difficult for them to seek help. They may even attempt to hide their symptoms by developing strategies to cope, such as drinking excessively or substance use, which can cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers and women themselves, to recognize ADHD symptoms. It can delay diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to manage to hide her symptoms throughout her adolescence and youth, but it's more challenging when she's an adult. The pressures of life, coupled with social pressures to be successful in work and relationships, can increase ADHD symptoms. These struggles can leave many women with ADHD feeling a sense of self-doubt, a sense of inadequacy and a constant sense of anxiety. For some, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD can be an epiphany, helping them understand the root of their difficulties and allowing them to accept themselves more fully.
Many women with ADHD have a difficult time trying to get support at school or work. They may feel embarrassed telling a professor or supervisor and may be concerned that the accommodation they need could be considered an act of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of instructors and supervisors are willing to make minor accommodations to allow those with ADHD to perform their roles.
In addition to having people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit by joining online support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups can provide an opportunity to share experiences and discuss the particular difficulties of being a woman with ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring conditions
As girls and women become teenagers, they develop coping strategies that cover their ADHD symptoms and make it harder for others to see. For example, a girl might attempt to dress and act like her peers in order to avoid attention from bullying or social rejection. Or, she may try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting more effort into school or at work, or using productivity apps to get her tasks done. These and other strategies for coping could disguise the presence of ADHD in a female and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Often, women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with other mental health disorders like anxiety or depression, prior to the time they receive an official diagnosis of the disorder. These other conditions could obscure the symptoms and presence of ADHD. They may cause complications in treatment.
Females and girls who have ADHD are also at a higher chance of having low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders that coexist. This is more so than men or boys. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or overly emotional, which can increase their frustration.
ADHD symptoms can cause women to have issues in their relationships. They are more likely to forget birthdays or err on minor details which can cause conflicts and miscommunication. They may also struggle to manage household chores, personal finances and everyday responsibilities. These difficulties can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted which can lead to an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their worth and capabilities.
In clinical settings, gender bias also influences the rate that women and girls are referred for an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers in the classroom to read vignettes about children with ADHD symptoms, and then rate how likely they would be to recommend or seek services for the child described. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
As with other disorders, ADHD can vary in severity for individual patients and may worsen at various periods. For instance, symptoms can be more prominent during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can lead to issues with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, as well as cause feelings of frustration and disappointment.