Female ADHD Symptoms
Females with ADHD often are not recognized as children because the disorder manifests differently in girls than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive adhd symptoms and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These individuals are also prone to developing unhealthy coping strategies like excessive drinking and substance abuse, which mask their ADHD symptoms and hinders the accurate diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are also common in these individuals.
Attention
Women with inattentive ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork and jobs. They may skip appointments or leave their home unattended. They have trouble keeping the track of their finances as well as household chores and record-keeping. These women also tend to forget names and dates, and have memory issues. They also have difficulty staying still for long durations and aren’t able to concentrate or follow directions.
While the impulse control and hyperactivity are more prevalent for males and boys but the inattention ADHD subtype is also common in girls and women. In fact, it’s believed that as high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are inattentive. To qualify for a diagnosis, you must show at least five inattention symptoms that last more than six months.
The inattentive symptoms of ADHD can be harder to spot than other types of ADHD because a lot of people don’t consider them as being an issue or have different expectations about what a girl’s behavior should be. This is why parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD assessments for girls than for boys.
A woman’s ADHD symptoms can change in time due to hormonal changes. For example women’s symptoms could be more severe during the menstrual cycle, if she is pregnant or when she enters menopausal.
These symptoms can have a profound impact on a woman’s self-esteem and overall satisfaction. These issues can lead to feelings of self-doubt and shame and make it hard to manage relationships, work or household chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual activities that can increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They might also struggle with the sensitivity to rejection since they have difficulty accepting negative or real responses from others. In the end, they may avoid social settings and isolate themselves.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD in women and girls. They are more likely to delay or lose things and have difficulty focusing on their tasks, and are easily overwhelmed in stressful environments. They might also have difficulty getting comfortable or falling asleep, and they may be more susceptible to mood swings and anxiety. These signs can cause problems at school, home and in relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent in boys and men women and girls can be overlooked for a diagnosis. Teachers and healthcare professionals often do not recommend ADHD evaluations for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for male students. This can result in an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Along with the tendency to hide their issues, this can suggest that people with ADHD have a more severe impact of the condition than generally reported. They may not even mention that they struggle to concentrate at work or are overwhelmed by household chores. They might struggle to make decisions at the supermarket or find it difficult to relax or sleep.
This can affect their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they may develop unhealthy coping strategies that may include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This could make the problem worse over time, and may prevent the woman getting the help she requires.
It is also possible because ADHD-linked behaviors are more popular with males and females, they may be suppressed or concealed by girls and women who fear being judged. For instance, a child with ADHD might display hyperactive and impulsive behavior to avoid being shamed for not fitting in with the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
Ultimately, these factors can create a vicious cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. Families as well as friends and teachers should be aware of these struggles, as they may be a sign of an undiagnosed disorder. The disorder can be treated by medication and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time managing their emotions than men. Moods are more likely to fluctuate as a result of hormonal fluctuations throughout the day, which may increase symptoms such as irritability and feelings of inadequacy. Women who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional problems could have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
Having ADHD can be a challenge for both parents and children, but it’s especially difficult for women. Women may feel embarrassed about ADHD and might not seek help because of this. Some women may try to hide their symptoms using strategies to cope, such as excessive drinking or drug use however this could make the situation more difficult. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers as well as women themselves, to recognize ADHD symptoms. It may delay diagnosis.
It is easier for women who suffers from ADHD to conceal the signs of dsm v adhd symptoms in her adolescence and youth than when she becomes an adult Male adhd symptoms. Stress from daily life and the pressures of society to perform well in work and relationships can cause more ADHD symptoms. These challenges can leave women with ADHD feeling a sense of failure, low self-esteem and constant stress. A diagnosis of ADHD could be a transformative moment for some women. It can aid them in understanding the root of their difficulties and help them to accept themselves better.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find help at school or at work. They may feel embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the accommodation they need could be considered a sign of weakness or incompetence. The majority of teachers and supervisors are willing to make small adjustments to help those who suffer from ADHD succeed in their jobs.
In addition to having people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can also benefit from joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups provide a chance to share stories and discuss women’s ADHD difficulties.
Co-occurring conditions
As women and girls become teenagers, they develop coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD hidden symptoms of adhd in adults, making it more difficult for others to detect. Girls may dress and behave like her peers to avoid being bullied or criticized by peers. She could also take advantage of impulsive and unorganized behavior by putting in more effort at work or school or using productivity apps to get tasks done. These and other coping strategies could disguise the presence 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 they receive an official diagnosis. These other conditions can obscure the presence of ADHD and make it difficult to treat and recover.
Women and girls with ADHD are also more likely to be afflicted by low self-esteem and other mood disorders. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as emotionally unstable or temperamental, which increases their feelings of anger.
ADHD symptoms can also cause women to experience difficulties in their relationships. They are more likely than men to overlook birthdays and miss minor details. This can cause miscommunication and conflict. They also may struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances, and other obligations of the day. These issues can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed, which can fuel a dysfunctional internal landscape of beliefs about their worth.
In clinical settings, gender bias affects the number of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers in a class to read vignettes describing children suffering from ADHD symptoms and to rate the likelihood they’d be to recommend or find services for the child described. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than for girls.
ADHD, like other conditions, can vary in severity and deteriorate at various times. For example, symptoms may be more prominent during a woman’s menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or the menopausal cycle. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and also contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.