Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls since 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 strategies for coping, like excessive drinking and substance abuse, which mask ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. The co-occurring conditions, like anxiety and depression, are also common in these individuals.
Attention
Women with inattention ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They might miss appointments or leave things in the house unattended. They struggle to manage their personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. It's also common for women with this condition to have trouble with memory and forgetfulness, making it difficult for them to remember dates or names. They also have difficulty being still for long durations of time and have trouble staying focused or following the directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females but the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common in women and girls. In fact, it is believed that as high as 80% of all ADHD sufferers aren't attentive. To be able to receive a diagnosis, you must have at least five ongoing inattentive symptoms lasting more than six months.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are often difficult for people to identify because they don't view them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how girls should behave. Because of this, teachers and parents are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
In addition, the way that ADHD affects a woman can vary during different times of her life due to hormone changes. For instance women's symptoms could be more severe during the menstrual cycle, when she's pregnant or as she enters menopausal.
These symptoms can have a major impact on women's self-esteem and life satisfaction. These symptoms can lead to feelings of shame and low-self-worth, as they make it hard to manage relationships, work or home chores. Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also suffer from depression and anxiety. They are also at risk of engaging in sexual activities that increase the likelihood of having children, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They may also experience rejection sensitivity because they have a hard time accepting negative responses from others. They may avoid social situations or even isolate themselves because of it.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances the two are the first symptoms of ADHD for women and girls. They may be more likely to delay or misplace things and have difficulty focusing on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in stressful environments. They may also have trouble sleeping or relaxing and are more susceptible to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can lead to difficulties at the classroom, at home, and in their relationships.
Girls and women are frequently left out of the diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more common between males and females. Teachers and healthcare providers do not recommend ADHD evaluations as often for female students as they do male students. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
This, combined with the tendency to conceal their struggles can make it clear that people with ADHD experience a greater impact than is normally reported. For instance, they may not be able to pinpoint a problem with concentration at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making choices at the grocery store or find it hard to relax or sleep.
This can affect their self-esteem. Rather than addressing the underlying problem, they could develop unhealthy coping strategies, which could include substance addiction or eating habits that are unhealthy. This can cause more problems in time, and stop the woman getting the help she requires.
It is also possible that because ADHD-related behaviors are more socially acceptable for boys and men, they may be suppressed or hidden by girls and women who are worried about being judged. For instance, girls with ADHD might display excessive and impulsive behavior to avoid being shamed for not fitting in with the norms at school or community.
These factors can ultimately create an environment of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. It's important for family members, friends and teachers to recognize these struggles in girls and women, because they could be a sign of a disorder that has not been diagnosed and requires treatment by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Problems
Women who suffer from ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions than men. The mood of women with ADHD is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can lead to more severe symptoms like irritability and feeling of being inadequate. Women with ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional issues could have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
ADHD can be a challenge for children and parents alike however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women can be ashamed of ADHD and may not seek help due to this. Some women may try to hide their symptoms using coping strategies like excessive alcohol or drug abuse however this could make the situation worse. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers, as well as women themselves, to recognize ADHD symptoms. It can also delay diagnosis.
A woman with ADHD may be able effectively hide her symptoms in the adolescent years and in her youth however it becomes more difficult when she's an adult. The pressures of life, coupled with expectations from society to excel in work and relationships, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These struggles can lead to women suffering from ADHD feeling like failures and low self-esteem. They can also cause ongoing stress. The diagnosis of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for some women. It can aid them in understanding the root of their struggles and allow them to accept themselves better.
Many women with ADHD struggle to receive support at work or school. They may be embarrassed telling a supervisor or professor, and they may worry that the accommodation they need will be perceived as an act of weakness or incompetence. female adhd symptoms of teachers and supervisors are willing to make small adjustments to help people who suffer from ADHD succeed in their jobs.
In addition to finding people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can benefit by joining online support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups give members the chance to share stories and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-occurring conditions
As women and girls get older, they may develop coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for others to detect. For example girls may attempt to dress and act like her peers in order to avoid being a target for bullying or social rejection. Or, she may compensate for impulsive and disorganized behavior by putting more effort into work or school or relying on productivity apps to get her tasks done. These and other coping strategies can disguise the presence of ADHD in a woman and can delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.
Often, women and girls who suffer from ADHD are diagnosed with other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, prior to the time they receive a diagnosis of the disorder. These other conditions may obscure the symptoms and presence of ADHD. They may also make treatment more difficult.
Females and girls who have ADHD are also at a higher chance of having low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders that coexist. This is more so than boys or men. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being too emotional or temperamental, which further adds to their sense of frustration.
ADHD symptoms can also cause women to have issues in their relationships. They are more likely to forget birthdays or err on minor details which can cause conflict and confusion. They also might struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances and other responsibilities of daily life. These challenges can cause them to feel overwhelmed and exhausted, which can fuel an unhealthy internal landscape of their beliefs about their worth.
The presence of gender bias in clinical settings can also affect the rate that women and girls are recommended to an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes describing children suffering from ADHD symptoms. They also assessed their likelihood to recommend or seek out services for the child depicted. The participants were more likely than girls to recommend services.
As with other disorders, ADHD can vary in severity for each patient and may worsen at various times. For instance, symptoms might be more prominent during the menstrual cycle of a woman or during menopausal or pregnancy. These changes can cause issues with relationships, social functioning and academic performance, and cause feelings of frustration and disappointment.