Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who have ADHD often are not recognized as children due to the fact that the disorder appears differently in girls than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These people are also prone to developing unhealthy coping strategies that include excessive drinking and drug abuse that cover up their ADHD symptoms and hinders the accurate diagnosis. Other conditions that coexist, like depression and anxiety, are also common in these individuals.
Attention!
Women who are not attentive ADHD typically have a difficult time to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They may skip appointments or leave their home unattended. They have trouble keeping their finances in order chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. It's also common for women with this condition to have trouble with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult to remember names or dates. They also have trouble staying still for long periods and are unable to concentrate or follow directions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more often associated with males and boys however, the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common for women and girls. As high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are categorized as inattentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that last for a period of more than six months to be able to receive a diagnosis.
The inattention symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to identify than other kinds of ADHD because a lot of people don't see them as being a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. This is why teachers and parents are less likely to recommend ADHD assessments for girls than they are for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can change over time due to hormonal fluctuations. Women's symptoms may worsen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal changes.
female symptoms of adhd can have a profound effect on women's self-esteem and life satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of guilt and low self-esteem and can make it difficult to manage relationships, work or home tasks. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual behavior which increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They may also have difficulty accepting rejection from others, regardless of whether it's real or perceived. In the end, they might avoid social situations and isolate themselves.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances the two are the first signs of ADHD in girls and women. They might be more procrastinative and lose things, or have difficulty concentrating. They can also become overwhelmed by busy environments. They may also have trouble falling asleep or relaxing, and may be more susceptible to mood swings and anxieties. Symptoms like these can cause difficulties at the classroom, at home, and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders women and girls can be overlooked as a possible diagnosis. Teachers and healthcare providers don't suggest ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do for male ones. This could result in an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to hide their issues, can make it clear that people with ADHD suffer more than is normally reported. For instance, they may not have trouble focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making decisions at the supermarket or have trouble finding the time to sleep or relax.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they might adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This could include substance abuse and unhealthy eating habits. This could make the issue worse over time, and hinder the woman from seeking assistance that could improve her life in a significant way.
Since ADHD-related behavior is more acceptable to boys and men socially It is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide them out of fear of being rejected. For instance, girls with ADHD may exhibit an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being judged for not fitting in with the norms at school or in the community.
In the end, these issues can create a vicious cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these struggles because they could be indicators of a disorder that has not been diagnosed. This disorder is treatable through therapy and medication.
Emotional Troubles
Women with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions than males. The moods of women with ADHD are more likely to fluctuate due to hormone fluctuations throughout the day, which may cause symptoms like anger and feelings of feeling inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. These emotional problems could be detrimental to career and relationships.
ADHD can be a problem for both children and parents but it can be especially difficult for women. Women are often shy or embarrassed about their ADHD, and this can hinder them from seeking assistance. They may try to mask their symptoms by developing strategies for coping, such as drinking excessively or substance use, which can cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers to detect ADHD symptoms for women, and it can lead to delay in diagnosis.
It's easier for a woman with ADHD to conceal her symptoms in her adolescence and youth than as an adult. Stress from daily life and societal pressures to perform well in relationships and work can intensify ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women with ADHD feeling like failures and low self-esteem. They can also cause constant stress. A diagnosis of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can aid them in understanding the root of their struggles and allow them to accept themselves better.
Many women suffering from ADHD find it difficult to get support at work or school. They may be embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor, and they may worry that the accommodations they require could be considered an act of weakness or incompetence. Most supervisors and teachers are willing to make minor adjustments to help those who suffer from ADHD succeed in their jobs.
Women with ADHD who are looking for friends who can support them can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups provide an opportunity to share stories and discuss the particular challenges of having ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring Conditions
As girls and women grow older they can develop strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for others to detect. adult add symptoms might dress and act as her peers in order to avoid being bullied or rejected by other people. Or, she may compensate for impulsive and disorganized behavior by putting in more effort at work or school or using productivity apps to get her tasks accomplished. These and other coping strategies can disguise the presence of ADHD in women and can delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Most often, girls and women who have ADHD are diagnosed with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, prior to the time they receive an official diagnosis for the disorder. These other disorders can disguise the presence of ADHD and make it difficult to treat and recover.
Females and girls who have ADHD are also at a higher risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be affected by coexisting mood disorders than males or boys. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as emotionally unstable or temperamental, which further adds to their sense of frustration.
In addition many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely to forget birthdays or err on minor details which can cause conflict and miscommunication. They also may be struggling to manage household chores, personal finances, and other responsibilities of daily life. These challenges can cause them to feel exhausted and overwhelmed which can create an unhealthy internal landscape of their beliefs about their worth.
Gender bias in clinical settings can affect the frequency at which girls and women are being referred to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers in the classroom to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms, and then rate the likelihood they'd be to recommend or find services for the child portrayed. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than for girls.
As with other types of disorders, ADHD can vary in intensity for individuals and can worsen at different periods. For example, symptoms may be more apparent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can cause difficulties with social functioning, relationships and academic performance. They can also contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.