ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional instability and sensitivity to rejection. They might also experience insomnia and poor quality sleep which can make symptoms worse.
Girls and women are typically better at masking their ADHD symptoms and coping mechanisms to conform to social expectations and norms. This could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Trouble focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women suffering from ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder can make it difficult to concentrate at school in meetings at work as well as when reading or listening to others talk. It can also be challenging to get through everyday tasks, such as keeping track of appointments or remembering to take 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. Women who suffer from the inattentive version of the disorder may be struggling to organize their home or their desks and may find it difficult to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These difficulties could cause them to skip appointments, arrive at the wrong place at the correct time or fail to follow through on their work duties. These difficulties can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they might blame themselves for their own problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to manage obligations, resulting in poor work or school performance and the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD the symptoms are often triggered by stress or other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Certain women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized due to the prejudices that parents and teachers 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.
For adult women who suffer from ADHD, symptoms can also be worsened due to hormonal changes. For example, they can be more evident during the menstrual cycle or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopausal changes. This is when estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues, including mood swings and anger.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus however, it cannot solve the problem. Other strategies, including lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also aid in organizing and focus. Some workplaces and school have facilities that can help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make it difficult to stay on top of daily tasks or to manage your obligations. It can be difficult to remember important details about events or people particularly when they occur in a noisy or busy environment. This Webpage may also find yourself having trouble remembering appointments or getting late to work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD tend to forget to pay bills or reply to emails, which could cause financial stress and a feeling of urgency. You might have trouble working in a crowded or loud office and often get lost in conversations, causing the other person to feel disregarded or untruthful.
Many women and girls with ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than others to be overwhelmed because they have difficulty regulating their emotions. They could also be struggling with their self-esteem and may see their difficulties as something that is a "personal flaw" instead of recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Girl and women who suffer from ADHD are also often overlooked because of gender bias as their symptoms are less noticeable than those of males and females. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which can lead to a misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD are influenced by hormone fluctuations and, particularly during puberty when progesterone levels drop and estrogen increases. This can result in a wider variety of symptoms, making it harder to diagnose and manage ADHD.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment can help you develop life skills to manage your ADHD symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugar, caffeine, and other stimulants that could cause symptoms to worsen. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can relax your mind and reduce the impulsiveness and restlessness. They can also improve the regulation of emotions. A mental health professional could be able to assist by discussing possible accommodations that may assist you in managing ADHD symptoms at work or in school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women with ADHD tend to experience less attentive than those with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. This could be due to the fact that women and girls have different brains than men and boys. Or it could be due to the level of brain activity areas that control impulsive behavior.
This means it can be harder for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms. Some of these are healthy, but others are not sustainable and could cause other health problems. For example, some women turn to alcohol or other drugs to manage their symptoms. They might also develop depression or other mental health issues such as anxiety. These unhealthy ways of coping can make it difficult for someone to recognize that they have an issue with their mental health and delay a proper diagnosis.
Disruptive behaviors are a common adhd symptom for women that can affect school or work performance and relationships. They typically involve not being focused on a task, forgetting important events or tasks and becoming easily distracted by other aspects of the environment or in their minds. They may fidget, tap their feet or hands or squirm. They may also shout or talk loudly, and may interrupt.
Women with the predominantly inattentive subtype of adhd can struggle to concentrate on lectures or conversations and juggling reading, writing or schoolwork; following instructions at school or at work; and juggling daily tasks. They might be unorganized and forgetful. They can also be messy. It can be challenging for them to follow through with tasks or commitments. They are more likely to lose or misplace items like 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 subtype can cause problems at home, work or in school. It can also cause feelings of boredom, restlessness and frustration. They can't wait for their turn whether at school, at work, or home. They are also known to interrupt others frequently. They are prone to be reckless and aren't able to control their behavior.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder dealing with their issues than boys and men. This is due to societal expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. If a woman with ADHD is unable to fulfill her responsibilities, she can be afflicted with anxiety and stress that can cause low self-esteem. This makes it more difficult to seek treatment for her ADHD.
Additionally, women who suffer from ADHD frequently have a difficult time getting diagnosed as their symptoms aren't as prominent as those of men and boys. 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 more likely to develop coping mechanisms that cover up their ADHD symptoms. For adult adhd in women or forgetfulness could be interpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can also change at different times in the woman's lifetime. Women may suffer ADHD symptoms during hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles and pregnancy. This could result in being viewed as a terribly emotional woman, which adds to her feelings of frustration.
The information in this article is based on research regarding how ADHD affects people based on their sexual. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomical structures, whereas gender is an internal perception of the person you are as a man, woman, or if you're non-binary, you're or a person. This distinction is crucial because it helps us understand the ways and reasons ADHD manifests differently in men and women. This is why throughout this article we refer to men and people assigned to male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys as well as women and people assigned to female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This terminology is used in many research studies. For more information, check out the guide to sex and gender by Verywell Health.