Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional instability and an sensitivity to rejection. They may also experience insomnia or poor quality sleep, which could make symptoms worse.
Women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms better than males, using coping strategies to meet social expectations and norms. This can lead both to a misdiagnosis or an inability to treat.
1. Problems with Focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women suffering from ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to focus at school in meetings at work, or when reading and listening to other people talk. It can be challenging to complete daily tasks, such as remembering appointments or taking medication.
Difficulty focusing is one of the most common adhd symptoms for girls and women, regardless of their gender identity or whether they have hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive adhd in adult women ADHD. Women suffering from the inattentive type of the disorder may be struggling to organize their house or desks and may find it difficult to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These difficulties can cause them to miss appointments, show up at the wrong place at the right time, or fail to follow through on their job responsibilities. These difficulties can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they may blame themselves for their troubles.
Inattentive ADHD can lead to poor performance at school or at work, and the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD the symptoms can be triggered either by stress or other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Some girls and women with inattentional ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized because of the biases teachers and parents may have towards men and boys. They may not be able to express their ADHD symptoms as well, especially the hyperactive/impulsive ones, and may have difficulty finding treatment that works for them.
Hormonal changes can also cause symptoms in adult women with ADHD. They can be more noticeable during perimenopausal or menstrual cycle that is the time leading up to the menopausal phase of a woman which is when estrogen levels decrease and cause emotional problems like mood swings or irritation.
Stimulant medications can help enhance concentration in adults suffering from ADHD However, it can’t treat the condition. Other strategies, including lifestyle changes, mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with focus and organization. Some schools and workplaces offer accommodations to help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Inattention can make managing your daily chores and responsibilities difficult. It can be difficult to remember important details especially when they take place in a noisy environment. You might also find yourself forgetting appointments or running late to work or school. Not being able to pay your bills or respond to emails is common among women with undiagnosed adhd in adult women, which can create financial stress and leave you feeling rushed. You may experience difficulties working in a noisy or crowded office, and you may be unable to concentrate during conversations. This can make someone else feel ignored or misunderstood.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD also struggle to keep friendships. They are also at risk of being forced into sexually inappropriate behavior or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. This is due to the fact that they have a more difficult managing their emotions and are more likely to become overwhelmed. They may also struggle with their self-esteem and may be more likely to view their issues as “personal imperfections” rather than recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Women and girls with ADHD are also not diagnosed due to gender bias because their symptoms are less evident than those of boys and men. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which can result in a misdiagnosis or improper treatment.
adhd in women symptoms symptoms can be different based on hormone fluctuations. This is particularly evident during puberty, as hormone levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. This can lead to a greater variation in symptoms from day to day, which makes it difficult to recognize and treat ADHD correctly.
When diagnosed and treated, you will learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also make lifestyle changes, for example, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that could cause symptoms to become worse. It is also possible to practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to relax your mind, reduce restlessness and impulsiveness and improve your emotional regulation. A mental health professional could be able to assist you by discussing possible accommodations that may aid you in managing ADHD symptoms at work or in school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
In the majority of cases, women adhd diagnosis with ADHD are more likely to experience inattention than those who are hyperactive or impulsive. This could be due to the fact that the female and female brains differ from those of men and boys or it could have to do with the amount of activity is occurring in the areas of the brain that control disruptive and impulsive behavior.
In the end, it is often difficult for a physician to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others are not long-lasting and could lead to other health issues. For instance women may turn to excessive alcohol or drugs to manage their symptoms. They could also develop depression or other mental health issues like anxiety. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can make it harder for someone to recognize that they are suffering from a condition and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is one of the most common symptom of adhd for women. It can affect their academic or work performance, and even their relationships. This includes being in a state of disorientation and not being able to focus on a specific task, or forgetting important events or tasks, and easily getting distracted by the surrounding environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their feet or hands, or squirm. They may also yell or talk loudly, and they may interrupt.
Women who are inattentive may have trouble staying focused during lectures or conversations and juggling schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following instructions in the classroom or at work, and managing daily tasks. They may be disorganized and forgetful. They can also be messy. It can be challenging to keep up on commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace items such as eyeglasses, wallets, and keys.
Having the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type of adhd can disrupt work or school, cause social problems, and create relationship challenges. This type of disorder can cause problems at home, at work and in school, and can lead to feelings of agitation or boredom. They are not able to wait for their turn in school, at work, or home. They also interrupt others frequently. They are not able to control their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to have a difficult time coping with their symptoms than males and females. This is partly due to the expectations of society that demand that mothers and women be the primary caregivers for their children and their household. When a woman struggles to fulfill her obligations and obligations, it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to seek treatment for her ADHD.
Women with ADHD are often not recognized as easily as boys or men because their symptoms don’t appear as obvious. They may present with primarily inattentive symptoms, which do not have the same outward appearance as hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms, making them less likely to receive a referral for treatment from teachers and parents. They are also more likely to develop coping mechanisms which mask their ADHD symptoms. For example excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness can be mistaken as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD can change over a woman’s lifetime. Women can be afflicted with ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This could cause her to be viewed as a victim of prejudice or considered being emotionally overly sensitive.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different individuals based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. While gender refers to the internal feeling of being a male, female or a nonbinary. This distinction is crucial as it enables a better understanding of the ways and the ways adhd in women treatment manifests can differ between genders. This is why throughout this article, we refer to men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys as well as women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This terminology is utilized in many research studies. To learn more, read Verywell Health’s guide to sex and gender.