Why People Don't Care About Female ADHD Symptoms
Female ADHD Symptoms
Females who have ADHD often are not recognized as children because the disorder manifests differently in girls than in boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These individuals are also prone to developing unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive drinking and drug abuse that mask ADHD symptoms and delays an accurate diagnosis. Coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression are also common among these individuals.
Inattention
Women who aren't attentive ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their daily routines, schoolwork or jobs. They may forget appointments or leave things unattended around the house. They have trouble keeping the track of their finances, household chores and record-keeping. It is also common for these women to have problems with memory and forgetfulness, which makes it difficult for them to remember names or dates. They also have trouble being still for long durations of time, and they have trouble staying focused or following directions.
While hyperactivity and impulsivity are more frequently found in males and females however, the subtype of inattention ADHD is just as common for women and girls. Around 80% of ADHD sufferers are classified as inattentive. To be eligible for a diagnosis, you must have at least five ongoing inattention symptoms that last more than six months.
Inattention ADHD symptoms can be difficult to spot because they don't perceive them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how girls should behave. Teachers and parents are therefore less likely to recommend ADHD testing for girls than boys.
In addition, the way that ADHD affects women's lives is different at different times of her life because of hormone fluctuations. Women's symptoms may worsen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms.
These signs can have a major impact on women's self-esteem and life satisfaction. They can cause feelings of guilt and self-worth devaluation due to the fact that they make it difficult to manage relationships, work and domestic tasks. Women who are not treated for ADHD may also experience depression and anxiety. They could also engage in sexual activities which can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and other health issues. They may also experience the sensitivity to rejection since they have a hard time accepting real or perceived negative responses from other people. They may avoid social interactions or isolate themselves due to this.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases the two are the first symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. They may be more likely to be procrastinators or misplace items and have difficulty focusing on tasks and easily become overwhelmed in stressful environments. They may also have difficulties sleeping or relaxing, and are more prone to mood swings and anxiety. These symptoms can cause problems at school, home and in relationships.
Women and girls are often overlooked for diagnosis of ADHD because the symptoms are more prevalent between males and females. Teachers and healthcare providers don't suggest ADHD assessments as often for female students as they do for male students. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and delays in treatment.
This, along with the tendency to hide their issues, can mean that adults who have ADHD experience a greater impact than is typically reported. For More , they might not have trouble focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making choices at the grocery store or find it hard to relax or sleep.
This can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they might develop unhealthy ways to cope. This could include substance abuse and unhealthy eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time, and hinder the woman from getting help that could improve her life dramatically.
It is also possible because ADHD-related behaviors are more acceptable in the social context of boys and men, they may be suppressed or hid by girls and women who are worried about being rejected. For example, a girl who suffers from ADHD might show excessive and impulsive behavior in order to avoid being criticized for not fitting in with the social norms of her neighborhood or school.
These factors can ultimately create an environment of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families as well as friends and teachers must be aware of these struggles because they could be indicators of an undiagnosed disorder. This disorder can be treated with medication and therapy.
Emotional Difficulties
Women suffering from ADHD are more difficult in controlling their emotions than males. The mood of women with ADHD is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day due to hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms like irritability or a feeling of being inadequate. Women with ADHD also have a higher risk of anxiety and depression. These emotional issues could be detrimental to career and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a challenge for parents and children alike however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women can feel embarrassed about ADHD and might not seek help due to this. Women may attempt to cover up their symptoms by using coping strategies like excessive drinking or drug use, but this can cause more harm. Masking can make it difficult for teachers and employers, as well as women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It may also delay diagnosis.
It is easier for women with ADHD to conceal the signs of ADHD in her teens and early adolescence than it is as an adult. The pressures of life, combined with expectations from society to excel at work and in relationships, can increase ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women with ADHD feeling like failures, low self-esteem, and constant stress. A diagnosis of ADHD may be a life-changing moment for certain women. It can help them understand the root of their struggles and allow them to be more accepting of themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty finding support at work or school. They might be embarrassed to tell a supervisor or professor and worry that their choice could be interpreted as an indication of weakness or incompetence. Most supervisors and teachers are willing to make small modifications to help individuals who suffer from ADHD achieve their goals.
In addition to finding supportive peers, women with ADHD can benefit by joining online support groups for adults who suffer from ADHD. These groups provide a opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-Occurring conditions
As girls and women mature they can develop strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for others to detect. A girl may dress and act like her peers to avoid being bullied or criticized by peers. She could try to compensate for her impulsive, disorganized behavior by putting more effort into school or at work or using productivity apps to accomplish her tasks. These and other coping strategies can disguise the existence of ADHD in a female and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
A lot of the time, girls and women who have ADHD are often diagnosed with other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, before they receive an official diagnosis for the disorder. These other conditions may obscure the symptoms and presence of ADHD. They can cause complications in treatment.
Girls and women who suffer from 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 men or boys. They can be misunderstood and dismissed as being temperamental or overly emotional, which adds to their anger.
In addition, many women have difficulty in their relationships because of ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to overlook birthdays and make mistakes with minor details. This can cause miscommunication and conflict. Also, they may have difficulty keeping up with household chores as well as personal finances and daily responsibilities. These challenges can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted, which can fuel an internal chaos of untruthful beliefs about their capabilities and worth.
In clinical settings, gender bias affects the number of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a class to read vignettes that described children who had ADHD symptoms, and rate how likely they were to recommend or find services for the child described. They found that participants were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
ADHD, like other conditions that are similar to other conditions, can be different in severity and worsen at different times. For instance, symptoms might be more prominent during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy or menopause. These changes can lead to issues with relationships, social functioning, and academic performance. They can also lead to feelings of failure and frustration.