Female Symptoms of ADHD
Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to show inattention signs, rather than the impulsivity and hyperactivity which are more common for both genders. symptoms of adult attention deficit disorder makes them more likely to be missed and misdiagnosed.
Stereotypes about gender can be a factor caregivers might assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a child who bounces off walls of his school. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in young girls and women are often harder to identify than boys, and as a result, the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.
In certain instances women with ADHD exhibit impulsive behavior that make it difficult to stop and consider their actions prior to acting. They may not be able to listen when people are talking, and they may have trouble following instructions or finishing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family friends, romantic partners and friends, as well as coworkers.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from rejection sensitivity. This is a strong emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. When combined with low self-esteem and difficulties in friendships with peers, this can make it difficult for women to cope with her ADHD symptoms.
Signs of ADHD in women may flare up at different periods during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations can cause irritability and mood swings and also difficulty with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and focus. It can also help ease stress and anxiety which are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks from work can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists, planners, and post-it notes to track their tasks. In some cases the health professional may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Inattention
Even when the symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't diagnosed. They struggle to keep up at school, their homes may be messy, and they have issues with relationships and performance. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can play an important role in causing missed or incorrect diagnosis. For example, when boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior, they're more likely to be diagnosed and treated. Girls who exhibit inattention can be dismissed as ditzy, dreamy or space cases.
Inattention can manifest in many ways. You might forget appointments, not keep promises or struggle to stay focused during classes or meetings. lectures. You can't wait your turn and constantly interrupt others while you talk. Your memory is shaky and you often lose things or forget where you put them. You have trouble following simple instructions and are prone to avoid tasks that require focus, such as homework or chores.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes take place such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopausal. It is difficult to pay attention to at home or at work and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or meet the goals of life.
A good workout routine can help manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, including dopamine, which can help boost your concentration and mood. In addition, regular exercise helps to burn off excess energy and can ease anxiety or depression -- symptoms that are common among women with ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Adolescent and female girls with ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety-related symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Female gender roles make it harder for girls to admit they're struggling, which is why they tend to disguise ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This could lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting in girls and women. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is the natural reaction to stress and danger. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's beneficial because it helps you stay alert to the possibility of danger and allows you to respond quickly if something is amiss. Unfortunately, anxiety can also trigger a range of physical symptoms like sweating, jitteriness and an increased heart rate (palpitations). People who experience frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. This is a type of panic disorder in which you are prone to frequent, unexpected panic attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behaviors control your life; and separation anxiety disorder, in which you are afraid of being away from your home or your family.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept called "time blindness." They might miss important dates or appointments, show up at the wrong place at the wrong time, or become too distracted by their work that they are unable to participate in social interactions. This can cause them to appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to other people. Good sleep habits will ensure that you don't suffer from time blindness. Therefore try to maintain an established bedtime and do something relaxing like reading, listening music or meditating prior to when you go to bed.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD have a hard time being organized. They may have difficulty to keep on top of their schedules, appointments and other belongings. Their home, office, and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or a ticket for the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women can also find it difficult to express their opinions in social situations. Their impulsiveness and impatience can cause them to interrupt others or utter things without thinking about the implications. This struggle to control their thoughts can lead to hurt feelings and miscommunications.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptoms may be the reason why many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
There is a bias against diagnosing females with ADHD in addition to the differences in biology between males and women in terms of the brain's structure and chemical. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
If women have a definitive diagnosis of ADHD and are able to manage their symptoms by using medication and other treatment strategies. With the right help they can be successful in their work, school and in their personal lives. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and aid in everyday challenges. Therapy for behavior and smartphone applications can also be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have issues with controlling their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, doesn't function in the same way. This results in a tendency to say or do things without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative effects. For instance, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or cause damage to relationships. It could also result in dangerous sexual behavior.
A person with ADHD might develop a variety of coping mechanisms to assist them in overcoming their inability to control their impulses. Self-medicating through alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating food are all options. A poor diet or lack of sleep can cause problems.
Girls and women with ADHD may also be unable to recognize that they are having issues with their behavior. They may find it difficult to articulate their issues and therefore, they may cover up their problems. This can make it harder for people to spot their problems and may delay a diagnosis.
Females and females with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than males or females. They may be more numb and have a higher rate of co-existing anxiety and mood disorders, for example depression. These factors could cause girls and women with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than males or females.
ADHD is a chronic disorder that affects many millions of people, despite increased awareness. It's particularly prevalent in adolescence and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to meet the demands of their jobs or schools. It's crucial for educators and parents to be aware of the possibility that a person they know has ADHD so that they can get the help she needs.