ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women with ADHD typically experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor sleep quality which can make symptoms worse.
Women and girls are often better at concealing their ADHD symptoms, using coping mechanisms to meet societal expectations and norms. This could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
1. Problems with Focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women with ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it difficult to concentrate at school in meetings at work as well as when reading or listening to others talk. It can also be difficult to get through everyday tasks like keeping track of appointments or making sure to take medications.
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 suffering from the inattentive type of the disorder might be struggling to organize their home or their work desk and find it difficult to prioritize tasks according to CHADD. These difficulties can lead to them not attending appointments, showing up at the wrong time or location or not completing their work tasks. These difficulties can make them feel bad about themselves, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
Inattentional ADHD can also lead to poor performance at school or at work and can also lead to the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD they can be triggered either by stress or other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Women and girls with inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed or recognized because of the biases teachers and parents might have toward boys and men. 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 exacerbate symptoms in adult women with ADHD. They can be more noticeable during menstrual cycles or perimenopausal periods that is the time leading up to a woman's menopause as estrogen levels drop and can cause emotional issues such as mood swings and irritation.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulant medications to improve their focus however, it cannot solve the problem. Other strategies, such as mindfulness training, lifestyle changes, and cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can also help in focusing and organization. Certain schools and workplaces have facilities that can assist with these issues, as well.
2. Forgetting Things
Forgetfulness can make it difficult to keep track of your daily tasks or manage the responsibilities. You may find it difficult to remember important information, especially if they occur in a noisy setting. You may also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. Inability to pay bills or reply to emails is common in women suffering from ADHD and can cause financial stress and make you feel overwhelmed. You may have difficulty working in a busy or noisy office, and may get lost in conversations. This could make the other person feel unimportant or confused.
Many girls and women with ADHD are also having a difficult time maintaining friendships and are at risk of being pressured into sexual activities that are not desired or becoming victims of intimate partner violence. This is because they have a more difficult time regulating their emotions and are more likely to become overwhelmed. They may also have issues with their self-esteem and may be more likely to view their problems as "personal flaws" instead of acknowledging that their behavior is linked to their ADHD symptoms.
Females and females who suffer from ADHD are also often overlooked due to gender bias since their symptoms are more noticeable than the symptoms of men and boys. They may camouflage symptoms with anxiety and mood disorders, which could cause a misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD vary with hormone fluctuations particularly during puberty, when progesterone drops and estrogen rises. This can lead to a more frequent change in symptoms throughout the day, which can make it more difficult to recognize and manage ADHD effectively.
Diagnosed and treated, you can learn how to manage ADHD symptoms. You can also change your lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet and limiting stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and sugary drinks which can aggravate symptoms. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety and impulsiveness. They can also improve the regulation of emotions. Talking with a mental health professional can be beneficial, as they can suggest possible adjustments at work or at school to aid in managing your ADHD symptoms better.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD are more inattentive than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. That may be because the brains of girls and women differ from the brains of boys and men or it could be to do with the amount of activity is taking place in the areas of the brain that manage impulsive and disruptive behavior.
It can be challenging for doctors to identify ADHD in women. Many women develop coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms. Some are healthy, but others aren't sustainable and could cause other health problems. For instance women may turn to alcohol or other drugs to deal with their symptoms. They may also be depressed or have other mental health issues such as anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies can make it more difficult for someone to recognize they have a problem and may delay a correct diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is one of the most common adhd symptoms for women. It can affect their academic or work performance, or even their relationships. They usually involve not staying focused on a task, ignoring important dates or events, and being easily distracted by other aspects of the environment or in their minds. They may fidget or tap their hands or feet or squirm in their seats. They may also talk loud or yell. they can be interruptive.
Women who have the inattentive subtype may have trouble concentrating during lectures or conversations and juggling schoolwork writing, reading, or reading assignments, following directions in the classroom or at work, and juggling daily tasks. They may be unorganized, messy, and forgetful and find it difficult to keep track of commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace things 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 type of adhd can cause issues at home, at work as well as at school, and it can trigger feelings of anxiety, boredom, and frustration. They are not able to wait for their turn whether at school, work, or home. They often interrupt others. They are unable to control their behavior and tend to be reckless.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder dealing with their issues than males and females. treatment for adhd in women is due in part to societal expectations that demand women and mothers to be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When a woman struggles to meet her responsibilities this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This in turn makes it more difficult to seek out treatment for her ADHD.
In addition, women with ADHD often have difficulty getting diagnosed because their symptoms are not as evident as those of boys and men. 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 that mask their ADHD symptoms. For instance excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as symptoms of anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADHD for women can vary at different times throughout the woman's lifetime. Women can experience ADHD symptoms when hormonal changes occur, such as menstruation and pregnancy. This can result in her being misunderstood or dismissed as a woman who is emotionally overly sensitive and can cause a sense of frustration.
This article is based on research into how ADHD affects different people based on their gender. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, including chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy; while gender refers to the internal feeling of being a male, female or a nonbinary. This distinction is important because it allows for better understanding of how and why the ways that ADHD manifests can differ between genders. In this article we will refer to males and those assigned male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys and women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) as women and girls. This is consistent with how many research studies use this terminology. To learn more, read the Verywell Health guide to gender and sexuality.