Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls because it presents differently than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, which can mask ADHD symptoms and delay the diagnosis. These individuals are also prone to co-existing disorders like depression and anxiety.
Attention
Women who are not attentive ADHD often have difficulty to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They may miss appointments or leave things around the house unattended. They struggle to organize personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. It's also normal for these women to have issues with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult to remember dates or names. They also have difficulty staying still for long durations and aren't able to concentrate or follow directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is just as common for women and girls. As high as 80% of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. To qualify for a diagnosis, you must show at least five ongoing inattention-related symptoms that last longer than six months.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to recognize 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 suggest ADHD testing for girls than for boys.
Women's ADHD symptoms can change in time due to hormonal changes. For instance the symptoms of a woman's ADHD may get worse during the menstrual cycle, when she's pregnant or as she enters menopause.
These signs can have a negative impact on women's self-esteem as well as their life satisfaction. These symptoms can cause feelings of shame and low-self-worth and can make it difficult to manage relationships, work and household chores. Women who are not treated for ADHD may also experience anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behavior that increase the chance of having a baby sexually transmitted infections, as well as other health problems. They might also struggle with rejection sensitivity because they have difficulty accepting negative responses from others. They may avoid social interactions or isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. They may be more likely to be procrastinators or lose things or have difficulty concentrating on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in busy environments. They may also have a hard time relaxing or falling asleep, and they may be more prone to mood fluctuations and anxiety. 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 however, girls and women may be overlooked for a diagnosis. Teachers and healthcare providers don't suggest ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do for male ones. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
This, in conjunction with the tendency to conceal their problems, could result in adults with ADHD have a more significant impact than is normally reported. They may not be able to admit that they are having trouble concentrating at work or feel overwhelmed by household tasks. They might have trouble making decisions when they go to the grocery shop or struggle to relax or sleep.
This could negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root problem, they could develop unhealthy coping strategies, which may include substance use or eating habits that are unhealthy. This could make the issue worse over time and keep the woman from seeking assistance that could improve her life dramatically.
It is also possible that because ADHD-related behaviors are more acceptable in the social context of males and girls, they may be suppressed or hidden by girls and women who are concerned about being judged. For example, a girl with ADHD might display hyperactive and impulsive behavior to avoid being shamed for not conforming to the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These causes can create an environment of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. It is essential for family members, friends and teachers to be aware of these issues in girls and women, since they may be a sign of a disorder that has not been diagnosed and needs to be addressed with medication management and therapy.
Emotional Troubles
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions than men. Their moods are more likely fluctuate as a result of hormonal changes throughout the day, which may increase symptoms such as anxiety and feelings of being unsatisfied. Women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional issues can have a serious impact on relationships and career prospects.
Having ADHD can be a slog for parents and children alike, but it's especially difficult for women. Women often feel shamed or embarrassed by their ADHD, and this can make it difficult for them to seek help. They may also try to mask their symptoms by developing strategies for coping, such as excessive alcohol or drug use, which can cause the problem to get worse. Masking can also make it difficult for employers and teachers to recognize ADHD symptoms for women, and can contribute to delays in diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to effectively hide her symptoms in her youth and adolescence however it becomes more difficult when she's an adult. Stress from daily life and pressures from society to perform well in work and relationships can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women with ADHD feeling like failures, low self-esteem, and chronic distress. The diagnosis of ADHD could be a transformative moment for certain women. It can help them understand the cause of their difficulties and help them to be more accepting of themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to get support at school or work. They may feel embarrassed to tell a supervisor or professor and fear that their accommodations could be interpreted as an indication of incompetence or weakness. However, the majority of instructors and supervisors are willing to make minor adjustments to help those with ADHD to perform their jobs.
Women suffering from ADHD who are looking for supportive peers can also benefit by joining online support groups. signs of adult add offer a chance to share stories and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-occurring conditions
As girls and women grow older and develop, they may come up with strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to detect. Girls may dress and act like her peers to avoid being criticized or bullied by other people. Or, she may try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting more effort into work or school or relying on productivity apps to get tasks accomplished. These and other strategies for coping can disguise the existence of ADHD in females and delay the diagnosis for her in adulthood.
Women and girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with depression or anxiety before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions can obscure the presence of ADHD, as well as complicate treatment and recovery.
Girls and women with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, and coexisting mood disorders. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being temperamental or overly emotional, which can increase their angst.
signs of adult add can also cause women to experience difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely to miss birthdays or misunderstand minor details which can cause conflict and miscommunication. They may also struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances and other responsibilities of daily life. These difficulties can cause them to feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can create an internal shambles of untrue beliefs about their worth and capabilities.
In clinical settings, gender bias affects the rate of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms and evaluated their likelihood to recommend or seek help for the child depicted. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
ADHD, like other conditions is a condition that can be severe and deteriorate at various times. For instance, symptoms could be more prominent during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy or menopause. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, as well as cause feelings of frustration and failure.