Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who have ADHD often are not recognized as children, because the disorder appears differently in girls than it does in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These people also tend to develop unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, which mask their ADHD symptoms and hinders the diagnosis. These individuals are also prone to co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression.
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 things around the house unattended. They are unable to keep their finances in order, household chores and record-keeping. It's also common for women to experience trouble with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult for them to remember names or dates. They also have trouble sitting still for long periods of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following the directions.
While impulse control and hyperactivity are more prevalent for males and boys but the inattention ADHD subtype is also seen in girls and women. Around 80% of ADHD sufferers are considered inattentive. To be eligible for a diagnosis, you must have at least five ongoing inattentive symptoms lasting more than six months.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to recognize because they don't view 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 assessments for girls than for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change in time due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms may worsen when they are pregnant, menstruating or menopause.
These signs can have a significant impact on women's self-esteem and overall satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of shame and low-self-worth and can make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home chores. Women who are not treated for ADHD may also be suffering from anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of having children sexually transmitted infections, as well as other health problems. They might also be unable to accept rejection from others, whether it's real or not. They may avoid social situations or avoid social situations as a result.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. They may procrastinate more, misplace things or have difficulty concentrating. They may also become overwhelmed by the busy environment. They may also have difficulties sleeping or relaxing, and are more prone to mood swings and anxieties. Symptoms like these can cause problems in school, at home and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more common for both genders however, girls and women may be omitted from a diagnosis. Teachers and healthcare providers don't suggest ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do male students. This can result in an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to hide their issues, this can mean that adults with ADHD experience a greater impact of the condition than usually reported. For instance, they may not report having difficulty focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making decisions when they go to the grocery shop or struggle to sleep or relax.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that could include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This can cause more problems in time, and stop the woman getting the help she requires.
It is also possible that ADHD-related behavior is more acceptable in the social context of males and girls and women, they are repressed or hidden by women and girls who are worried about being rejected. For instance, a girl who suffers from ADHD might show excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being judged for not fitting in with the norms of her community or school.
In the end, these triggers can result in a cycle of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. It's important for family members, friends and teachers to be aware of these issues for women and girls, because they could be an indication of a disorder that is not recognized and needs to be addressed through therapy and medication management.
Emotional Troubles
Women with ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions than males. The mood of women with ADHD 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 suffer from anxiety and depression. These emotional problems could have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
ADHD can be a problem for both children and parents, but it is especially difficult for women. Women are often shamed or embarrassed by their ADHD and this may make it difficult for them to seek help. Women may attempt to mask symptoms with methods of coping such as excessive drinking or drug use however this could make the situation worse. Masking can make it harder for employers and teachers to detect ADHD symptoms in women, and it can contribute to delay in diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD might be able to successfully hide her symptoms during the adolescent years and in her youth, but it's more challenging as an adult. The pressures of life, coupled with social pressures to be successful at work and in relationships, can increase ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women with ADHD feeling like failures and low self-esteem. They can also cause ongoing stress. For some, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD can be like a lightbulb moment that helps them to understand the root cause of their challenges and helping them accept their own uniqueness.
Many women suffering from ADHD find it difficult to get support at work or school. They may be embarrassed telling a supervisor or professor, and they may worry that the accommodation they need is seen as an act of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of instructors and supervisors are willing to make small adjustments to help people with ADHD to excel in their jobs.
In addition to having people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can benefit by joining online support groups for adults with ADHD. These groups can provide an opportunity to share stories and discuss the unique challenges of being a woman with ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring Conditions
As girls and women grow older and develop, they may come up with strategies to cope that mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to recognize. For instance, a girl might make an effort to dress and act like her peers to avoid the attention of bullies or social rejection. She might try to make up for her impulsive, unorganized behavior by working more at school or at work or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the existence of ADHD in females and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions can obscure the presence of ADHD and hinder treatment and recovery.
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 can be misunderstood and dismissed as overly emotional or temperamental, which further increases their feelings of discontent.
Additionally, many women have difficulty in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and miss minor details. female adhd symptoms can cause miscommunication and conflict. They also might struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances, and other daily responsibilities. These issues can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted which can lead to an internal shambles of untrue beliefs about their worth and capabilities.
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 in the classroom to read vignettes describing children who had ADHD symptoms, and rate how likely they were to recommend or seek services for the child portrayed. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
As with other conditions, ADHD can vary in severity for each patient and may worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms could be more apparent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and also result in feelings of anger and failure.