ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitive to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor sleep quality which can make symptoms worse.
Women and girls are often better at concealing their ADHD symptoms by using coping strategies to conform to social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis as well as delays in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
Focusing is the biggest challenge for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to concentrate at school, during meetings at work as well as when 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 form of the condition can have difficulty organizing their home and their desks. They may be unable to prioritize their tasks. These issues can result in being late for appointments, turning up at the wrong time or at the wrong place or failing to finish their work duties. These issues can cause them to feel embarrassed about themselves and they may blame themselves for their troubles.
Inattentional ADHD can also lead to poor performance at school or at work, and the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD they can be triggered either by stress or other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
Some girls and women with inattentional ADHD are underdiagnosed or overlooked because of the biases parents and teachers may be prone to towards males and females. 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 women who suffer from ADHD. For example, they can be more apparent during menstrual cycles, or during perimenopause, which is the time before menopausal, when estrogen levels decrease and cause emotional problems such as mood swings and anger.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus however, it cannot cure the condition. Other strategies, including lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help with focus and organization. Some schools and workplaces have facilities that can assist with these issues too.
2. Forgetting Things
It can be difficult to stay on top of daily activities or take care of obligations. It may be difficult to remember important details especially when they take place in a noisy setting. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. Women who suffer from ADHD are prone to forgetting to pay bills or responding to emails, which can lead to financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You may have difficulty working in a noisy or loud office and often zone out during conversations, leaving the other person feeling unimportant or misunderstood.
Many women and girls who have ADHD also struggle to maintain friendships. They are also at risk of being pushed into unwanted sexual behavior or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than others to be overwhelmed because they are unable to manage their emotions. They might also have trouble with self-esteem, and may be more likely to interpret their difficulties as "personal flaws" rather than recognizing 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 not diagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious than those of men and boys. signs of add in adult women might be more likely to camouflage their symptoms as mood or anxiety issues and this can lead to being misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated.
ADHD symptoms can be different based on hormone fluctuations. This is particularly evident during puberty, as hormone levels drop and progesterone levels increase. This can lead to a wider variety of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can help you develop how to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and limiting sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that might cause symptoms to become worse. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help calm your mind and reduce restlessness and impulsiveness. They also aid in improving emotional regulation. A mental health professional could be able to help you by discussing possible accommodations that can help you manage ADHD symptoms at work or in school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women with ADHD tend to be more inattentive than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms. That may be because the female and female brains differ from the brains of males and females or it could be to do with the amount of activity is occurring in the areas of the brain responsible for managing disruptive and impulsive behavior.
In the end, it can be harder for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to mask their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others are not long-lasting and could lead to other health problems. For example women may turn to drinking or using drugs to manage their symptoms. They might also develop depression or suffer from other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies may make it more difficult for someone to recognize they are suffering from a condition and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is a common symptom of adhd in women. It can impact their work or school performance, as well as their relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a task, forgetting important dates or events, and becoming easily distracted by other things in the environment or in their minds. They may fidget or tap their feet or hands or squirm in their seats. They can also yell or speak loudly and they may interrupt.
Women who are inattentive can have difficulty concentrating during lectures or conversations, keeping up with schoolwork, reading, or writing assignments, following instructions in classes or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be unorganized, messy, and forgetful and have a difficult time adhere to commitments or tasks. They are more prone to losing or misplacing items, 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 disorder can cause trouble at home, at work, as well as at school, and can trigger feelings of anxiety and boredom. It can also cause frustration. They have a difficult waiting for their turn at home, school or in the workplace and are often disruptive to other people. They have a tendency to be reckless and are not able to manage their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls with ADHD can have a harder dealing with their issues than men and boys. This is due in part to the social expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When a woman struggles to manage her responsibilities this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult for her to seek help.
In addition, women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to be diagnosed since their symptoms aren't as evident as the men and boys. 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. Additionally they are more likely to develop strategies for coping that cover up their ADHD symptoms, like excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness which could be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADHD in women can differ at different times during the woman's lifetime. For instance, during periods of hormonal changes, such as menstruation or pregnancy, a woman may find her ADHD symptoms to become more intense. This can lead to being viewed as an overly emotional woman which can increase her feelings of frustration.
This article is based on research on how ADHD affects different individuals based on their gender. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomical structure. gender is an internal perception of who you are as a man, woman, or if non-binary, a person. This distinction is important as it allows us to better know the reasons behind why ADHD can manifest differently in women and men. This is why throughout this article we will refer to males and those assigned male at birth (AMAB) as men and boys and women and people assigned to female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. For more information, read the guide on sex and gender by Verywell Health.