10 Top Books On ADHD Symptoms For Women
ADHD Symptoms For Women
Women suffering from ADHD frequently experience symptoms of emotional volatility and sensitivity to rejection. They may also suffer from insomnia and poor quality sleep which can cause more symptoms.
Women and girls tend to hide their ADHD symptoms better than men, using strategies to cope with the social expectations and norms. This can lead to a misdiagnosis as well as a delay in treatment.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Concentration is the biggest issue for many women with ADHD. The symptoms of this neurodevelopmental disorder may make it difficult to remain focused at school, in work meetings, or even when reading or listening to other people's conversations. It can also be challenging to get through daily tasks, like keeping track of appointments or remembering to take your 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. According to CHADD the women who suffer from the inattentive version of the disorder may struggle to organize their home and their desk. They might also have difficulty deciding how to prioritize their tasks. These issues can result in being late for appointments, turning up at the wrong time or location or not completing their work tasks. These problems can make them feel embarrassed about themselves and they might blame themselves for their problems.
Inattentional ADHD can also result in poor performance at work or in school and can also lead to the accumulation of debt. According to CHADD they are often triggered by stress or other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Teachers and parents might be biased towards males and girls, leading to women and girls to be underdiagnosed. 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 for women who suffer from ADHD. For instance, they may be more evident during menstrual cycles or during perimenopausal transition, the period leading up to menopause--when estrogen levels dip and cause emotional problems which include mood swings as well as irritability.
The use of stimulants can help improve concentration for adults with ADHD however it doesn't cure the condition. Other strategies, like lifestyle changes, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also aid in organizing and focus. adult add women and workplaces have accommodations to help with these issues.
2. Forgetting Things
The habit of forgetting can make managing daily tasks and responsibilities challenging. You may find it difficult to remember important details particularly when they happen in a noisy setting. You might also find yourself not remembering appointments or being late to school or work. Forgetting to pay bills or respond to emails is a common occurrence for women with ADHD that can lead to financial stress and make you feel overwhelmed. You might have trouble working in a busy or noisy office, and you might get lost in conversations. This could make the other person feel ignored or misunderstood.
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 being victims of violence from intimate partners. They are more likely than others to feel overwhelmed due to the fact that they struggle to control their emotions. They might also be struggling with their self-esteem, and may see their issues as something that is a "personal fault" instead of recognizing that their behavior is related to their ADHD symptoms.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are also not diagnosed because of gender bias as their symptoms are less obvious than the symptoms of men and boys. They could disguise symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, which could cause a misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD differ with the fluctuation of hormones particularly during puberty, when progesterone drops and estrogen rises. This can lead to a greater variance in symptoms from day to day, which can make it harder to recognize and treat ADHD effectively.
Being 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 may cause symptoms to become worse. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help calm your mind and reduce the impulsiveness and restlessness. They can also help improve the regulation of emotions. A mental health professional could be able to assist you by discussing possible accommodations that could assist you in managing ADHD symptoms at work or at school.
3. Disruptive Behavior
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to experience more sluggish than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms. This could be because women and girls have different brains than men and boys. It could also be due to the volume of activity in the brain areas that regulate impulsive behavior.
This means it can be harder for a doctor to identify and diagnose ADHD in women. Many women develop strategies for coping to mask their symptoms. Some are healthy, while others aren't sustainable and could cause other health problems. Some women, for example use excessive alcohol or drugs to manage. They could also develop depression or other mental health conditions like anxiety. These unhealthy coping strategies can make it difficult for someone to recognize they have a mental health problem and delay an accurate diagnosis.
Disruptive behavior is among the most common adhd symptoms for women. It can affect their school or work performance, or even their relationships. This includes being incapable of staying focused on a particular task, or forgetting important events or tasks and easily getting distracted by the surrounding environment or their thoughts. They may fidget, tap their hands or feet, or squirm. They may also yell or talk loudly, and can interrupt.
Women with the predominantly inattentive type of adhd may struggle to concentrate on conversations or lectures; keeping up with writing, reading or schoolwork; following instructions at work or in class; and juggling daily tasks. They are often disorganized and messy and find it difficult to adhere to commitments or tasks. They are more likely to lose or misplace things like keys, wallets and eyeglasses.
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, work or in school. It can also lead to feelings of boredom, restlessness and anger. They have a hard time waiting for their turn at school, home or at work and they frequently interrupt others. They are not able to control their behavior and are likely to behave recklessly.
4. Anxiety
Girls and women with ADHD may find it harder to manage their symptoms. This is due to the expectations of society that require women and mothers be the primary caregivers for their children and household. When a woman struggles to fulfill her obligations this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. This can make it more difficult for her to seek treatment.
Women who suffer from ADHD are typically not recognized as easily as men or boys because their symptoms do not appear as prominent. 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 cover up their ADHD symptoms. For instance excessive fidgeting and forgetfulness can be misinterpreted as signs of anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can also vary at different times throughout the woman's lifetime. Women may suffer ADHD symptoms in the course of hormonal changes, like menstruation and pregnancy. This can 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 into how ADHD affects people based on their sex. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon: chromosomal makeup hormones, hormones and anatomical structure, while gender is an internal perception of what you're like as a man, woman, or, if nonbinary, a person. This distinction is crucial as it enables a better understanding of how and why the ways ADHD manifests may differ between genders. In this article we refer to males and those assigned to male at birth (AMAB) as males and boys, and to women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) as girls and women. This Webpage is in line with how many research studies employ this terminology. To learn more, read Verywell Health's guide on gender and sexuality.