Sara Hardee
Blog entry by Sara Hardee
Teens and women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention symptoms, as opposed to the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more common in both men and boys. This makes them more susceptible to being misdiagnosed and overlooked.
Stereotypes of gender can contribute to this as caregivers may believe that girls who are quiet or dreamy are just "being girls." Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle as well as perimenopausal symptoms can trigger ADHD symptoms to flare up.
1. Hyperactivity
When it is ADHD the first impression many people have is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls in class. While this is one type of ADHD females and girls are also affected by the disorder in this manner. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are often harder to identify than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed or untreated.
Women with ADHD may exhibit impulsive behavior which makes it difficult to think and stop before deciding to act. They might not be attentive when others are talking, and they may have trouble adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead them to frustration and confusion with family friends, romantic partners and friends, as well as coworkers.
Many women who suffer from adhd symptoms in adults list have rejection sensitivity. This is an intense emotional reaction to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from female adhd symptoms list to manage, particularly if she has low self-esteem or is struggling with peer relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD in women can show up at various times during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can trigger mood swings and irritation, as well as difficulty in concentrating.
Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls with ADHD manage their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also calm stress and anxiety that are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can also help ADHD symptoms. Using tools like planners, checklists, and post-it notes to keep track of tasks can be helpful for many people suffering from rsd adhd symptoms. In some instances, health care providers can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention!
Even when symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not diagnosed. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes can be messy, and they face difficulties with relationships and performance. They may try to compensate by hiding their problems or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected them.
Gender bias can also play in the absence or inaccurate diagnoses. When a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior they are more likely to be referred to diagnosis and therapy. Conversely girls who display inattention symptoms are often dismissed as space cases, dreamy or ditzy.
The inattention symptom of adhd can manifest in a variety of ways: You don't remember appointments, don't follow through on promises and are unable to stay focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You have trouble waiting your turn when talking with others, and you can't seem to stop interrupting. You have a poor memory and often lose things or forget their location. You are unable to follow simple instructions, and you tend to avoid tasks requiring concentration, such as homework or chores.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can also worsen due to hormonal changes, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms (the period leading up to menopausal). This makes it harder to focus at work or at home, and can make it more difficult to maintain friendships or achieve goals in your life.
Getting plenty of exercise can help manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which can improve your mood and focus. Regular exercise can aid in burning extra energy and ease anxiety or depression symptomsthat are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescents who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety and mood issues than hyperactivity or impulsivity. Girls are often hesitant to admit they have issues due to gender-based expectations. They often cover up ADHD symptoms by avoiding other behaviors. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting of women and girls. They may also be more likely to have inattentive ADHD symptoms, which don't show up as obvious as the impulsive/hyperactive ones that boys and men display.
Anxiety is a natural response to danger and stress. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but it's a good thing: it keeps you alert to potential danger and helps you respond quickly when something is not right. Unfortunately, anxiety can trigger a range of physical symptoms, including sweating, jitteriness and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). People who experience frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder could include panic disorder (where you have recurring panic attacks that are not planned), phobias (where you are incredibly scared of certain objects or events), obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behaviors), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women with ADHD often struggle with "time blindness". They might miss important dates and appointments, show up at an incorrect time or place or be so distracted by their work that they forget social interactions. This can make them appear aloof, inconsiderate or unfocused to others. Good sleep habits can help prevent time blindness so make sure you stick to a regular time for bed and do something relaxing prior to when you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women with ADHD struggle with being organized. They may find it difficult to keep the track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their home, car and office could be cluttered, and their purses full of receipts, 17 chapsticks, and a ticket to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness can make it difficult to establish and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women can also struggle to express their opinions in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness can cause them to interrupt others or say things without considering the consequences. These struggles with filtering their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.
Symptoms of ADHD in women may vary from day to day due to hormonal fluctuation. For instance, estrogen levels are lowest at the time of ovulation, and during menstrual cycle, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These symptom variations may be the reason that many women with ADHD are not diagnosed correctly.
In addition to the biological differences in brain structure and chemical composition that are involved in ADHD in males and females as well as the bias against diagnosing women with the condition. This bias is linked to the fact that ADHD research and educational programs primarily focus on boys and men/people AMAB, so it's more likely that healthcare providers and educators will see hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms in those groups and overlook symptoms of inattentive ADHD in women.
Women with ADHD can manage their symptoms using medication and other treatment methods. They can be successful in school, work as well as in their personal lives if they have the right support. Medical treatment can give them a huge boost in concentration and help overcome every day challenges, and behavioral therapy and specific smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with impulse control. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions and considers consequences, doesn't function as well. This leads to a tendency to say or do things without thinking about the possible consequences, which can have negative consequences. For example, impulsive behavior could lead to financial issues or harm relationships. It could also lead to risky sexual behaviors.
Someone suffering from ADHD may develop a variety of coping mechanisms that assist them in overcoming their inability to control their impulses. They could resort to self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs or using food as a way to relax. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also lead to problems.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may struggle to recognize a problem in their behavior. They may find it hard to explain their problems, so they conceal their issues. This can make it difficult for people to spot their problems and may delay the diagnosis.
In addition, girls and women with ADHD tend to present their symptoms differently than boys or men. They might be more distracted and have a greater incidence of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, for example depression. These factors can be the reason for girls and women with ADHD are more frequently misdiagnosed than boys or men.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's especially common in adolescence and early adulthood, when many people are trying to meet the demands of their work or Female Symptoms of ADHD school. Parents and teachers must be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may have ADHD in order to get her the help she requires.