Blog entry by Kristofer Vallery
Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed among girls because it is different than boys. adult adhd symptoms list women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also develop unhealthy strategies for coping, like excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse, that mask their ADHD symptoms of adhd in adult males and delay the diagnosis. They are also susceptible to co-existing disorders like depression and anxiety.
Inattention
Women with inattention ADHD often have difficulty to keep up with their work, schoolwork and daily routines. They might miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They struggle to manage their personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. It's also normal for women with this condition to have trouble with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult for them to remember dates or names. They also have a difficult time sitting still for long periods of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following directions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more frequently found in males and females but the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common for women and girls. In fact, it's estimated that up to 80% of all ADHD sufferers are inattentive. You must have five symptoms of adhd in older adults of inattention that last for more than six month to be eligible for a diagnosis.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to identify because they don't perceive the symptoms as a problem, or have different expectations of how girls should behave. This is why parents and teachers are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
Additionally, the way that ADHD affects a woman can change over different periods of her life due to hormone changes. For instance, a woman's symptoms may be more severe during the menstrual cycle, if she's pregnant or as she enters menopause.
These issues can have an impact on the self-esteem of women and their life satisfaction. They can trigger feelings of self-doubt and shame because they make it hard to manage relationships, work and household tasks. Women with untreated adhd in female adults symptoms ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behavior which increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They may also experience sensitization to rejection because they have difficulty accepting negative responses from others. They may avoid social situations or avoid social situations due to this.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD in girls and women. They are more likely to delay or misplace things or have difficulty concentrating on their tasks, and are easily overwhelmed in stressful environments. They might also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing, and they may be more prone to mood swings and anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause difficulties at school, at home and in their relationships.
Girls and women are frequently overlooked for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Teachers and healthcare professionals often don't suggest ADHD assessments for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for males. This can lead to an incorrect assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
In addition, with a tendency to hide their struggles, this can suggest that people with ADHD experience a greater impact from the condition than is usually reported. They may not be able to admit that they have difficulty concentrating at work or are overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making decisions when shopping or have trouble finding the time to sleep or relax.
This can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that may include alcohol abuse or eating habits that are unhealthy. This can make the problem worse over time and prevent the woman from getting help that could improve her life dramatically.
Since ADHD-related behavior is more acceptable to males and boys It is possible that women and girls may suppress or hide them out of fear of being rejected. For example, girls with ADHD might display an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being shamed because they aren't in line with the norms of their school or community.
In the end, these triggers can result in a cycle of frustration and confusion for women with ADHD. Families, friends, and educators should be aware of these struggles because they could be signs of an undiagnosed disorder. This disorder is treatable through therapy and medication.
Emotional Difficulties
Women with ADHD tend to struggle more than men to manage their emotions. The mood of women with ADHD is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms like irritability and feeling of being inadequate. Women with ADHD also are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. These emotional problems could have serious implications for career and relationships.
ADHD can be a problem for children and parents alike but it can be especially difficult for women. Women can feel embarrassed about ADHD and may not seek help because of this. They may also attempt to hide their symptoms of high functioning adhd through strategies to cope, like excessive drinking or substance abuse, which can actually cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers, as well as women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It may 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. Stress from daily life and societal pressures to be successful in work and relationships can intensify ADHD symptoms. These struggles can leave many women suffering from ADHD feeling a sense of being insecure, self-esteem issues and a constant sense of anxiety. A diagnosis of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can help them understand the root of their difficulties and help them to feel more comfortable with themselves.
Many women with ADHD have a difficult time trying to get support at school or work. They may feel embarrassed confiding in a professor or supervisor or teacher about their condition, and they might worry that the accommodations they require is considered an act of weakness or incompetence. However, the majority of supervisors and instructors are willing to make minor adjustments to help those with ADHD to excel in their roles.
In addition to finding female friends who are supportive, women with ADHD can also benefit by joining online support groups for adults with ADHD. These groups provide a chance to share stories and discuss women's ADHD issues.
Co-occurring Conditions
As women and girls mature and develop, they may come up with coping strategies that can mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder for others to recognize. For example girls may try to dress and act more like her peers to ward off the attention of bullies or social rejection. She might try to make up for her chaotic, impulsive behavior by putting more effort into school or at work, or using productivity apps to complete her tasks. These and other strategies for coping can mask the presence ADHD in females and delay the diagnosis for her in adulthood.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are often diagnosed with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, before they receive an official diagnosis of the disorder. These other disorders can disguise the presence of ADHD and hinder treatment and recovery.
Women and girls with adhd uncommon symptoms are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and other mood disorders. They are often misunderstood or dismissed as emotionally unstable or temperamental, which contributes to their feelings of anger.
Additionally, many women have difficulty in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to forget birthdays and to make mistakes with minor details. This can lead to miscommunication and conflict. Also, they may have difficulty keeping up with household chores as well as personal finances and daily obligations. These difficulties can make them feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can lead to a dysfunctional internal landscape of self-esteem and beliefs.
Gender bias in clinical settings can also affect the rate of women and girls who are referred to receive an ADHD evaluation. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked parents and teachers to read vignettes about children suffering from ADHD symptoms and assessed their likelihood to recommend or seek services for the child in the. They found that the participants were more likely to recommend services to boys than girls.
ADHD, like other conditions, can vary in severity and deteriorate at various times. For instance, symptoms may be more pronounced during the menstrual cycle of a woman or during pregnancy or menopause. These changes can lead to difficulties with social functioning, relationships and academic performance. They can also lead to feelings of disappointment and despair.