14 Cartoons About Female Symptoms Of ADHD That'll Brighten Your Day
Female Symptoms of ADHD
Girls and women who have ADHD typically exhibit inattentional symptoms, instead of the impulsivity and hyperactivity typically observed in men and boys. This makes them more vulnerable to being misdiagnosed and omitted.
Stereotypes about gender can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that quiet or dreamy girls are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be worsened by hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
Many people think of ADHD when they see a boy who flies off the walls of the school. This is a form of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in women and girls are more difficult to detect than in boys, so the condition is often misdiagnosed and not treated.
In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to pause and think about their actions before committing. They may not be able to listen when others are talking, and they may have trouble following directions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, romantic partners, friends, and coworkers.
Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection. This is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived rejection. In combination with low self-esteem, and difficulty in peer relationships, this can make it difficult for a woman to deal with her ADHD symptoms.
Signs of ADHD in women can show up at various times during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritation and also difficulty in concentrating.
Some girls and women who suffer from ADHD find it easier to manage their symptoms by diet, exercise and sleeping habits. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety that are common among women suffering from ADHD. Sleeping enough and taking breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from tools like checklists, planners, and post-it notes to track their tasks. In certain instances healthcare professionals can prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
2. Attention
Even when symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattention ADHD aren't diagnosed. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes can be messy, and they have trouble with relationships and work performance. They might attempt to cope by hiding their symptoms or by trying to convince themselves that they're not affected by their symptoms.
Gender bias can play in the absence or inaccurate diagnosis. When a boy exhibits excessive or impulsive behavior and is more likely to be referred for diagnosis and therapy. In contrast, girls who display inattentive symptoms are often dismissed as dreamy, space cases or silly.
Attention deficit can manifest in a variety of ways. You may miss appointments, fail to follow through with promises or struggle to stay focused during classroom lectures. You have a hard time waiting for your turn to speak with others and can't seem to stop interrupting. Your memory is poor and you are prone to losing things or forget where you put them. You struggle to follow simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, like homework or chores.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also be exacerbated during hormonal changes like menstrual cycles, pregnancy or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This can make it difficult to focus at work or at home, and makes it harder to keep friendships intact or reach goals in life.
Getting plenty of exercise can help control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals such as dopamine that can improve your mood and focus. Regular exercise can also help you burn extra energy and reduce depression or anxiety symptoms -that are common among women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD typically experience more mood and anxiety-related symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. symptoms of adhd in adults are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle because of gender roles. They are more likely to conceal ADHD symptoms by hiding other behavior. This could result in misdiagnosis or under-reporting in girls and women. 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 the natural reaction to danger and stress. It can be a stressful and debilitating, but it's an excellent thing because it keeps you alert to potential danger and helps you respond quickly if something is not right. Unfortunately anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, like sweating and jitteriness. It can also cause rapid heartbeats, or palpitations. People who suffer from frequent severe, chronic, or even disabling anxiety could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may include panic disorder (where you have frequent, unplanned panic attacks) as well as phobias (where you are extremely terrified of certain objects or situations) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thinking and repetitive behavior), and separation anxiety disorder.
Women suffering from ADHD frequently struggle with "time blindness". They might forget important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong time or location or get so absorbed by their work that they fail to notice social interactions. This can cause them to appear aloof, unfocused or inconsiderate of other people. Good sleeping habits can help to prevent time blindness and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular time for bed and do something relaxing before you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or even meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women suffering from ADHD have a difficult time being organized. They might have a difficult time keeping track of their appointments, schedules, and possessions. Their home, office, and car could be overflowing with clutter and their bags could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their inability to remember and lack of organization can make it difficult for them to build and maintain personal and professional relationships.
Women also have trouble communicating what they mean in social situations. Their impatience and impulsiveness could cause them to interrupt others or blurt out things without thinking about the implications. Their struggles to filter their thoughts can result in miscommunications and hurt feelings.
The signs of ADHD in women may vary between days due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance estrogen levels are at their lowest around ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can cause an increase in ADHD symptoms. These symptoms could be why many women with ADHD are not diagnosed and treated.
There is a stigma against diagnosing females with ADHD as well as the differences in biology between males and women in regards to brain structure and chemical. 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 with medication and other treatment methods. They can achieve success in school, work as well as in their personal lives with the right help. Medical treatment can aid in improving concentration and aid in everyday challenges. The use of behavioral therapy and apps for smartphones can also be helpful.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to have difficulty controlling their impulses. This is because the part of their brain that makes decisions and weighs the consequences isn't as efficient. This can result in a tendency for people to act or say things without considering the possible consequences, which could result in negative effects. Instinctive behavior can cause relationships that are damaged. It might cause risky sexual behaviors.
Someone suffering from ADHD might develop a range of coping strategies to help them deal with their difficulty with impulse control. Self-medicating using alcohol or other drugs, or soothing yourself by eating food are all options. A poor diet or not getting enough sleep can also cause problems.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may also be unable to recognize they have a problem with their behavior. They may be unable to communicate their problems to their teachers or parents and so they attempt to cover up their problems. This can make it difficult for people to identify their symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Additionally women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to display their symptoms in a different way than boys or men. They might be more inattentive and are more likely to be the victim of co-existing anxiety or mood disorders, such as depression. These factors could contribute to the fact women and girls with ADHD are misdiagnosed more frequently than boys or men.
While awareness of ADHD has improved however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's most prevalent in the adolescent and the early years of adulthood, when lots of people are trying to cope with the demands of their work or school. Parents and teachers should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD in order to receive the assistance she requires.