15 Current Trends To Watch For Female ADHD Symptoms
Female ADHD Symptoms
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls because it manifests differently than boys. Adult women may have the inattentive type of ADHD or combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
These people also tend to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms that include excessive drinking and substance abuse that mask ADHD symptoms and delays the diagnosis. These people are also more susceptible to coexisting conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Attention
Women with inattentive ADHD often have difficulty to keep up with their schoolwork, job and daily routines. They may miss appointments or leave their home unattended. They struggle to manage their personal finances, record-keeping and household chores. They are also prone to forget names and dates, and also suffer from memory issues. They also have difficulty staying still for long periods of time and have trouble staying focused or following the directions.
While impulsivity and hyperactivity are more often found in males and females, the inattentive subtype of ADHD is equally prevalent in women and girls. In fact, it's believed that as high as 80 percent of ADHD sufferers are inattentive. You must have five symptoms of inattention that last for more than six month to qualify for a diagnoses.
Inattention ADHD symptoms are often difficult for people to recognize because they don't view them as 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 for boys.
Additionally, the way that ADHD affects a woman is different at different times of her life due to hormone fluctuations. For instance, a woman's symptoms may get worse during the menstrual cycle, while she is pregnant or when she enters menopausal.
These symptoms can have a profound effect on women's self-esteem and life satisfaction. These issues can lead to feelings of self-doubt and shame and can make it hard to manage relationships, work or household chores. Women with untreated ADHD are also susceptible to anxiety and depression. They could also engage in sexual behaviors that increase the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other health issues. They might also have a difficult time accepting rejection from others, regardless of whether it's real or not. As a result, they might avoid social situations and avoid social situations.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
In many cases, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the first symptoms of ADHD for women and girls. They are more likely to delay or lose things, have trouble concentrating on tasks, and can easily become overwhelmed in stressful environments. They might also have a hard time sleeping or relaxing and are more susceptible to mood fluctuation and anxiety. Symptoms like these can cause difficulties at school, at home and in their relationships.
Since symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders, women and girls may be overlooked as a possible diagnosis. what are the symptoms of adult adhd and health professionals typically do not suggest ADHD assessments for female students or colleagues as frequently as they do for male ones. This can lead to an inaccurate assessment and a delayed response to treatment.
Combined with a tendency to conceal their problems This could result in adults suffering from ADHD have a more severe impact of the condition than typically reported. For instance, they might not report having difficulty focusing at work or being overwhelmed by household chores. They may have difficulty making decisions at the grocery store or find it difficult to relax or sleep.
This can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. Instead of addressing the root problem, they could develop unhealthy coping strategies that may include substance addiction or eating habits that are unhealthy. This could make the issue worse over time, and hinder the woman from seeking help that could improve her life in a significant way.
It is also possible because ADHD-related behaviors are more socially acceptable for males and females, they may be suppressed or hidden by girls and women who fear being judged. For instance, girls who have ADHD may exhibit hyperactive and impulsive behaviors to avoid being judged because they don't fit in with the norms at school or in the community.
These factors can ultimately create an environment of frustration and confusion for women suffering from ADHD. Families and friends, as well as educators must be aware of these issues, as they may be signs of a disorder that is not being diagnosed. The disorder is treatable with medication and therapy.
Emotional Problems
Women suffering from ADHD are more difficult in managing their emotions than men. The mood is more likely to fluctuate throughout the day because of hormonal changes. This can exacerbate symptoms like irritability and feeling of being inadequate. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety. These emotional difficulties may have a significant impact on careers and relationships.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a challenge for both parents and children however, it is particularly challenging for women. Women often feel shamed or embarrassed by their ADHD which can make it difficult for them to seek help. They may even try to mask their symptoms through strategies for coping, such as drinking excessively or drug abuse, which could cause the problem to get worse. Masking can make it more difficult for teachers and employers to notice ADHD symptoms for women, and can contribute to delays in diagnosis.
It is easier for women with ADHD to conceal the signs of ADHD in her adolescence and youth than when she becomes an adult. Stress from daily life and pressures from society to excel in relationships and work can intensify ADHD symptoms. These issues can leave women suffering from ADHD feeling like they're failing as well as low self-esteem and constant stress. For some, getting the diagnosis of ADHD can be an epiphany, helping people to recognize the root cause of their difficulties and allowing them to accept their own uniqueness.
Many women with ADHD struggle to find help at work or school. They may feel embarrassed about telling a professor or supervisor, and they may worry that the support they require is perceived as an indication of weakness or incompetence. However, most supervisors and instructors are willing to make minor adjustments to enable people with ADHD to succeed in their job.
Women with ADHD who are seeking friends who can support them can also benefit by joining online support groups. These groups provide a opportunities to share experiences and discuss women's ADHD challenges.
Co-Occurring conditions
As women and girls get older, they may develop coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for others to notice. For instance the girl may attempt to dress and act like her peers to avoid the attention of bullies or social rejection. Or, she may try to redress her impulsive and chaotic behavior by putting more effort into school or work or using productivity apps to get tasks accomplished. These and other coping strategies can disguise the presence of ADHD in women and can delay the diagnosis until she is an adult.

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression before receiving an official diagnosis. These other conditions could mask the presence and symptoms of ADHD. They may also complicate treatment.
Females and girls who have ADHD are also at a higher risk of low self-esteem and are more likely to be affected by mood disorders that coexist. This is more so than boys or men. They could be misunderstood or dismissed as being impulsive or overly emotional, which adds to their angst.
ADHD symptoms can cause women to experience difficulties in their relationships. They tend to forget birthdays or misunderstand minor details, which can lead to conflict and miscommunication. They also might struggle to keep up with household chores, personal finances, and other daily responsibilities. These challenges can cause them to feel exhausted and overwhelmed and can lead to an unhealthy internal landscape of their beliefs about their worth.
In clinical settings, gender bias also affects the rate of referrals for ADHD evaluations. In one study, Ohan and Visser (2009) asked teachers and parents to read vignettes about children suffering from ADHD symptoms and rated how likely they were to recommend or seek help for the child depicted. They found that the respondents were more likely to recommend services for boys than girls.
As with other types of conditions, ADHD can vary in intensity for individuals and can worsen at different periods. For instance, symptoms could be more apparent during a woman's menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, or menopausal cycle. These changes can lead to problems with relationships, social functioning, and academic performance. They may also contribute to feelings of frustration and failure.