Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls since it presents differently than 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 drinking and substance abuse, which mask ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. These people are also more susceptible to co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety.
Inattention
Women who aren't attentive ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They have a difficult time organizing their personal financial records, household chores. They are also prone to forget names and dates, and suffer from memory issues. They also have a difficult time staying still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often associated with males and boys but the subtype of inattention ADHD is equally prevalent in women and girls. In adult adhd symptoms , it is estimated that up to 80% of all ADHD sufferers are inattentive. To qualify for a diagnosis, you must have at least five ongoing inattention-related symptoms that last longer than six months.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to identify because they don't view the symptoms as a problem, or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
In addition, the way that ADHD affects a woman can vary during different times of her life because of hormone fluctuations. For instance the symptoms of a woman's ADHD may get worse during the menstrual cycle, when she's pregnant, or when she enters menopausal.
These signs can have a negative impact on a woman’s self-esteem and her life satisfaction. These issues can lead to feelings of shame and low-self-worth, as they make it hard to manage relationships, work or home chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behavior which increase the chance of having a baby, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They may also be afflicted by sensitization to rejection because they have difficulty accepting real or perceived negative reactions from others. They may avoid social situations or isolate themselves as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactivity and impulsivity can be the first indications of ADHD for girls and women. They might be more procrastinative, misplace things or have trouble focusing. They may also become overwhelmed by the busy environment. They may also have trouble getting sleep or relaxing and are more prone to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems at the classroom, at home, and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more common in males and females women and girls can be overlooked for a diagnosis. Healthcare professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male students. This can lead both to an incorrect diagnosis as well as a delay in treatment.
In addition, with a tendency to hide their struggles, this can result in adults suffering from ADHD experience a greater impact of the condition than typically reported. They may not even mention that they are having trouble concentrating at work or are overwhelmed by household chores. They might struggle to make decisions at the supermarket or have trouble finding the time to relax or sleep.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the underlying issue, they could adopt unhealthy ways of coping. This could include substance abuse or unhealthy eating habits. This can make it worse over time, and prevent the woman from receiving the assistance she needs.
Because ADHD-related behaviors are more accepted by males and females in social settings it is possible that women and girls may hide or suppress their ADHD-related behaviors out of fear of being rejected. For example, girls with ADHD might exhibit excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being criticized because they don't fit in with the norms at school or community.
In the end, these triggers can lead to a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these issues and be aware that they could be signs of a disorder that is not being diagnosed. This condition can be treated with medication and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD are more difficult in controlling their emotions than males. Moods are more likely to fluctuate due to hormonal fluctuations throughout the day, which may cause symptoms like irritability and feelings of inadequacy. Women with ADHD also are more prone to anxiety and depression. These emotional problems could be detrimental to career and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a slog for parents and children alike however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women often feel shy or embarrassed about their ADHD and this may hinder them from seeking help. Some women may try to hide their symptoms using methods of coping such as 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 detect ADHD symptoms. It may delay the diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to manage to hide her symptoms throughout the adolescent years and in her youth however it becomes more difficult as an adult. The pressures of daily life, combined with social pressures to be successful at work and in relationships, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These issues can leave women with ADHD feeling a sense of self-doubt, a sense of inadequacy and a constant sense of anxiety. For some, a diagnosis of ADHD can be a lightbulb moment, helping them to understand the root cause of their issues and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women with ADHD have a difficult time trying to receive help at work or at school. They may be embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the support they require could be perceived as 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 work.
Women suffering from ADHD who are looking for friends who can support them can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups provide a an opportunity to share stories and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring Conditions
As women and girls mature, they may develop strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for others to spot. A girl may dress and act like her peers to avoid being bullied or rejected by peers. She could try to compensate for her impulsive, unorganized behavior by working harder at school or at work or using productivity apps to accomplish her tasks. These and other strategies for coping can mask the presence ADHD in a female and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are often diagnosed with other mental health disorders like depression or anxiety, before they receive a diagnosis of the disorder. These other conditions could obscure the symptoms and presence of ADHD. They may also make treatment more difficult.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem, as well as coexisting mood disorders. They are often misunderstood or dismissed as being too emotional or temperamental, which further adds to their sense of frustration.
ADHD symptoms can cause women to experience difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely to forget birthdays or misunderstand minor details, which can lead to conflicts and miscommunication. They may also be struggling to manage housework, personal finances and other obligations of the day. These issues can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted and can lead to a dysfunctional internal landscape of self-esteem and beliefs.
In clinical settings, gender bias influences the frequency of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers in the classroom to read vignettes about children who had ADHD symptoms and to rate how likely they would be to recommend or find services for the child they described. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
As with other types of disorders, ADHD can vary in severity for individual patients and may be worsened at different periods. For instance, symptoms can be more evident during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or menopausal phase. These changes can cause issues with relationships, social functioning and academic performance, and also result in feelings of anger and disappointment.