Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who suffer from ADHD often are not recognized as children because the disorder manifests 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 mechanisms that include excessive drinking and drug abuse, which mask their ADHD symptoms and delays the accurate diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are also common in these individuals.
Attention!
Women who are not attentive ADHD often find it hard to keep up with their studies, work and daily routines. They may miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They have trouble keeping track of their finances chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. It is 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 difficulty sitting still for long periods of time and have difficulty staying focused or following the directions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more frequently associated with males and boys but the subtype of inattention ADHD is equally prevalent for women and girls. In fact, it is estimated that up to 80% of all ADHD sufferers aren't attentive. You must show five inattentive symptoms that persist for a period of more than six months to be able to receive a diagnosis.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can be difficult to spot because they don't view them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. This is why parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can also change as time passes due to hormonal changes. For instance women's symptoms could get worse during the menstrual cycle, if she's pregnant or as she enters menopausal.
These signs can have a negative impact on women's self-esteem as well as their life satisfaction. They can cause feelings of guilt and self-worth devaluation due to the fact that they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and home tasks. Women who are not treated for ADHD may also be suffering from depression and anxiety. They may also engage in sexual activities which increase the risk for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and other health issues. They might also struggle with the sensitivity to rejection since they have a hard time accepting negative responses from others. This is why they may avoid social situations and isolate themselves.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances the two are the first signs of ADHD for women and girls. They might procrastinate more than usual, lose items or have difficulty concentrating. They may also be overwhelmed by the demands of their surroundings. adult adhd symptom may also have trouble getting sleep or relaxing and are more prone to mood swings or anxiety. These symptoms can lead to problems in school, at home and in their relationships.
Because symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders however, girls and women may be overlooked as a possible diagnosis. Health professionals and teachers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do male students. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Along with the tendency to hide their issues, this can result in adults suffering from ADHD suffer more from the condition than is typically reported. For instance, they might not have trouble focusing at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They might struggle to make choices at the grocery store or have trouble finding the time to relax or sleep.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they might develop unhealthy ways to cope. This may include substance abuse and unhealthy eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time and prevent the woman from seeking assistance that could improve her life in a significant way.
Since ADHD-related behavior is more acceptable to males and females in social settings It is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide them out of fear of being disregarded. For instance, girls who have ADHD may exhibit excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being judged because they aren't in line with the norms of school or community.
These factors can ultimately create an environment of confusion and frustration for women with ADHD. It is essential for family members, friends, and teachers to notice these struggles in girls and women, as they can be a sign of a disorder that has not been diagnosed and requires treatment by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle more than men to control their emotions. Their moods are more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can cause symptoms like irritability and feeling of being inadequate. Women who suffer from ADHD also are more prone to depression and anxiety. These emotional difficulties may be detrimental to career and relationships.
adult female adhd symptoms can be a problem for both children and parents but it can be especially difficult for women. Women often feel embarrassed or ashamed about their ADHD and this may hinder them from seeking assistance. They may attempt to hide their symptoms by implementing coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug abuse, which could make the situation worse. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers, as well as women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It may also delay the diagnosis.
It's much easier for a woman who suffers from ADHD to conceal her symptoms during her adolescence and youth than it is as an adult. The pressures of life, coupled with expectations from society to excel at work and in relationships, can cause ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women with ADHD feeling like they're failing and low self-esteem. They can also cause chronic distress. For some, getting a diagnosis of ADHD can be like a lightbulb moment that helps them to understand the root cause of their challenges and giving them the chance to accept themselves more fully.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to get support at work or school. They may feel shy to speak to their supervisor or professor about their condition and worry that their choice is seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, most instructors and supervisors will make small adjustments to enable people with ADHD to succeed in their jobs.
Women suffering from ADHD who are seeking supportive peers can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups offer a opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-Occurring conditions
As women and girls mature they can develop coping strategies that can mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult for others to detect. For example the girl may attempt to dress and act more like her peers in order to avoid the attention of bullies or social rejection. She could also try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting in more effort at school or at work, or using productivity apps to get tasks done. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the existence of ADHD in a female and delay her adult diagnosis.
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 symptoms and presence of ADHD. They can cause complications in treatment.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being temperamental or excessively emotional, which increases their angst.
ADHD symptoms can also cause women to have issues in their relationships. They are more likely to miss birthdays or misunderstand minor details which can cause conflict and miscommunication. They also might be struggling to manage household chores, personal finances and other obligations of the day. These difficulties can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted and can create an internal shambles of untrue beliefs about their worth and capability.
In clinical settings, gender bias also affects the rate of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in the classroom to read vignettes that described children who had ADHD symptoms and to rate how likely they would be to recommend or find services for the child described. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
As with other types of conditions, ADHD can vary in severity for individual patients and may be worsened at different times. For example, symptoms may be more evident during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can lead to issues with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and cause feelings of frustration and disappointment.