adhd symptoms in adult women is often misdiagnosed in girls because it is different than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
They also develop unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive drinking and substance abuse, which can mask ADHD symptoms and delay a proper diagnosis. Other conditions that coexist, like anxiety and depression, are also common in these individuals.
Inattention
Women with inattentive ADHD often find it hard to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They might miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They are unable to keep the track of their finances chores at home, their record-keeping and household chores. These women also tend to forget names and dates, and also suffer from memory problems. They also have trouble being still for long periods and are unable to focus or follow instructions.
While impulse control and hyperactivity are more common in boys and men, the inattentive ADHD subtype is also prevalent in girls and women. In fact, it is estimated that up to 80% of all ADHD sufferers are inattentive. You must show five symptoms of inattention that persist for longer than six months to qualify for a diagnoses.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can be harder for people to identify because they don't see them as a sign of a disorder or have different expectations of how a girl should behave. Because of this, teachers and parents are less likely to recommend ADHD evaluations for girls than they are for boys.
A woman's ADHD symptoms can change over time due to hormonal changes. Women's symptoms may worsen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal changes.
These signs can affect the self-esteem of women and their satisfaction with life. 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 suffer from untreated ADHD might also suffer from anxiety and depression. They also are at risk of engaging in sexual behavior that increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other health problems. They might also be unable to accept rejection from others, regardless of whether it is real or perceived. They might avoid social situations or even isolate themselves due to this.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many instances hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first signs of ADHD for women and girls. They might be more procrastinative than usual, lose items or have trouble focusing. They may also become overwhelmed by the demands of their surroundings. They may also have trouble relaxing or falling asleep, and they may be more prone to mood fluctuation and anxiety. These symptoms can cause problems at home, school and in relationships.
Since the symptoms of ADHD are more common in boys and men, women and girls may be overlooked for a diagnosis. Teachers and health professionals typically do not recommend ADHD evaluations for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for male students. This can lead both to an inaccurate diagnosis and a delay in treatment.
Combined with a tendency to hide their struggles This could result in adults suffering from ADHD experience a greater impact from the condition than is usually reported. For instance, they may not be able to pinpoint a problem with concentration at work or feeling overwhelmed by household chores. They might have trouble making decisions at the supermarket or find it hard to relax or sleep.
This can negatively impact their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root issue, they may develop unhealthy coping strategies, which could include substance abuse or poor eating habits. This can make the problem worse over time and keep the woman from seeking help that could improve her life significantly.
It is also possible that because ADHD-related behaviors are more popular with males and females, they may be suppressed or hidden by women and girls who are worried about being rejected. For instance, girls with ADHD may exhibit an impulsive and hyperactive behavior to avoid being shamed for not fitting in with the norms of their school or community.
Ultimately, these factors can create a vicious cycle of confusion and frustration for women suffering from ADHD. It is essential for family members, friends and teachers to notice these struggles for women and girls, as they can be a sign of an undiagnosed disorder that needs to be addressed by a combination of therapy and medication.
Emotional Problems
Women suffering from ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions than males. Their moods are more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can lead to more severe symptoms like irritability and feeling of inadequacy. Women with ADHD also are more prone to depression and anxiety. These emotional problems can have serious implications for relationships and job prospects.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a struggle for parents as well as children however it can be particularly difficult for women. Women are often embarrassed or ashamed about their ADHD which can hinder them from seeking assistance. Some women may try to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, such as excessive drinking or substance abuse which can cause more harm. Masking can make it difficult for employers and teachers, as well as women themselves, to detect ADHD symptoms. It can delay the diagnosis.
A woman suffering from ADHD might be able to successfully hide her symptoms during her adolescence and youth however it becomes more difficult when she's an adult. Stress from daily life and the pressures of society to be successful in both relationships and work can intensify ADHD symptoms. These challenges can result in women suffering from ADHD feeling like they are failing as well as low self-esteem and ongoing stress. For some, getting the diagnosis of ADHD can be like a lightbulb moment, helping people to recognize the root cause of their challenges and giving them the chance to accept themselves more fully.
Many women suffering from ADHD find it difficult to receive support at work or at school. They may feel uncomfortable in telling a supervisor or professor and worry that their choice will be seen as an indication of weakness or incompetence. Most teachers and supervisors are willing to make minor adjustments to help those who suffer from ADHD succeed in their jobs.
In addition to finding people who can be supportive, women suffering from ADHD can benefit by joining online support groups for adults suffering from ADHD. These groups can provide the opportunity to share personal stories and discuss the particular challenges of being a woman with ADHD as a woman.
Co-occurring conditions
As girls and women mature and develop, they may come up with strategies to deal with their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult for others to recognize. A girl may dress and behave like her peers in order to avoid being bullied or criticized by other people. Or, she may take advantage of impulsive and unorganized behavior by working harder at work or school or relying on productivity apps to get her tasks accomplished. These and other strategies for coping can mask the presence ADHD in females and delay her diagnosis as an adult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before they receive an official diagnosis. These other conditions may conceal the presence and signs of ADHD. They can also make treatment more difficult.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be afflicted by coexisting mood disorders than boys or men. They may be misunderstood and dismissed as being too emotional or temperamental, which further increases their feelings of frustration.
Additionally many women experience difficulties in their relationships due to ADHD symptoms. They are more likely than men to miss birthdays and make mistakes with minor details. This can cause miscommunication and conflict. They may also struggle to manage household chores as well as personal finances and everyday responsibilities. adult female add symptoms can cause them to feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can create an internal landscape of dysfunctional beliefs about their capabilities and worth.
In clinical settings, gender bias also influences the rate of women and girls who are being referred to an ADHD evaluation. In one study Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents in a classroom to read vignettes that described children with ADHD symptoms, and then rate the likelihood they'd be to recommend or seek out services for the child described. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services for boys than for girls.
ADHD as with other conditions is a condition that can be severe and deteriorate at various times. For instance, symptoms can be more prominent during a woman’s menstrual period or during pregnancy or the menopausal phase. These changes can cause problems with social functioning, relationships and academic performance, and also contribute to feelings of frustration and disappointment.