My Site of ADHD
Teens and women with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention signs, rather than the hyperactivity and impulsivity which are more common for both genders. This makes them more prone to being overlooked and misdiagnosed.
Gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor in the way that caregivers may assume that quiet girls or girls who appear to be shy and dreamy are just "being girls." ADHD symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.
1. Hyperactivity
When it comes to ADHD, the first thought most people think of is an overactive boy who bounces off the walls in class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms in girls and women are often harder to detect than boys. This leads to the condition being misdiagnosed and left untreated.
In some cases women who suffer from ADHD exhibit impulsive behaviors that make it difficult for them to pause and think about their actions prior to acting. They might not be attentive when people are talking, and they may have difficulty following directions or completing tasks. These issues can lead to frustration and confusion with family friends, romantic partners and friends and coworkers.
Many women with ADHD experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened emotional response to actual or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for women who suffers from ADHD to manage, particularly when she is self-conscious or is struggling with peer relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD in women may flare up at various times during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations may cause mood swings and irritation and may cause problems with concentration.
Exercise, diet and sleeping habits can help some women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and attention. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety that are common among women suffering from ADHD. A good night's sleep and taking breaks from work can also help ADHD symptoms. Many people with ADHD can benefit from tools such as checklists, planners, and post-it notes to keep track of their activities. In some instances, health care providers can prescribe medication to treat symptoms.
2. Attention!
Even when the symptoms are severe women and girls who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't identified. They struggle to stay on top of classes, their homes are messy, and they struggle with relationships and performance at work. They may try to compensate for their problems by avoiding them or claiming that they're not affected.
Gender bias can play an important role in causing missed or inaccurate diagnoses. For instance, if boys exhibit an impulsive or hyperactive behavior and signs, they are more likely to get referred for diagnosis and treatment. Girls who display inattention could be viewed as ditzy, dreamy or space-related.
The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can manifest in many ways: You forget appointments, don't keep promises and find it difficult to concentrate during class lectures or meetings. You aren't able to wait for your turn and keep interrupting others when you're talking. Your memory is shaky and you often lose things or forget where you put them. You have difficulty following simple instructions and you tend to avoid tasks that require concentration, such as homework or chores.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms can also worsen when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or perimenopause. It is difficult to focus on work or home and can make it difficult to maintain relationships or meet the goals of life.
Exercise can help you control your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, such as dopamine that can boost your mood and concentration. Additionally, regular exercise can help you burn off extra energy and can ease anxiety or depression symptoms that are common in women suffering from ADHD.
3. Anxiety
Women and adolescent girls with ADHD are often more prone to anxiety and mood symptoms than hyperactivity and impulsivity. Female gender roles make it more difficult for girls to admit that they're struggling, which is why they tend to camouflage ADHD symptoms by displaying other behaviors. This could lead to misdiagnosis and under-reporting of women and girls. 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 a natural response to danger and stress. It can be overwhelming and painful, but it's actually a good thing: it keeps you aware of potential danger and helps you respond quickly if something is suspicious. Unfortunately anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, such as jitteriness and sweating. It may also trigger rapid heartbeats or palpitations. An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in people who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. An anxiety disorder could include panic disorder (where you have recurring unplanned panic attacks) and fears (where you are intensely terrified of certain objects or situations) and obsessive compulsive disorder (where you are controlled by irrational thought and repetitive behaviors) and separation anxiety disorder.
Many women who suffer from ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They might miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the incorrect time, or be too distracted by their work that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear uncaring, uninterested or unfocused to other people. Good sleep habits can help prevent time blindness, so try to stick to a regular time for bed and do something that is relaxing before you go to sleep like listening to music, reading or meditating.
4. Disorganization
Women who suffer from ADHD struggle with staying organized. They may have a hard time keeping track of their schedules, appointments, and personal belongings. Their home, car, and office may be messy and their bags filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks, as well as tickets to the Kings of Leon concert in 2008. Their inattention and lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain and build relationships at work and in their private lives.
Women also have a tendency to find it difficult to express themselves in social settings. They can be impatient and impulsive and can cause them to interrupt others or blurt things out without considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts could lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
The symptoms of ADHD are able to change throughout the day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstruation, which can exacerbate ADHD. These symptom changes may be the reason that many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed and treated.
In addition to the biological differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are involved with ADHD for females and males There is also a bias against diagnosing women suffering from the condition. 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 suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms using medications and other treatments. With the right help they can succeed in their work, school as well as in their personal lives. Medication can provide a significant boost in concentration and help better handle every day challenges, and behavioral therapy and specialized smartphone apps can be additional tools to help them stay at the top of their game.
5. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD frequently have issues with control of their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions, and weighs the consequences, isn't functioning in the same way. This leads to a tendency to make decisions or act without thinking about the possible consequences, which can have negative effects. For example, impulsive behavior might lead to financial problems or damage relationships. It can cause sexually risky behaviors.
A person suffering from ADHD might develop a variety of coping mechanisms that aid them in their struggle to manage their impulses. Self-medicating using alcohol or drugs, or calming yourself by eating food are all options. Poor diet or sleeping less than you ought to could also lead to trouble.
previous and girls who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty to recognize that they are struggling with their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their symptoms, so they cover up their problems. This can make it difficult for people to understand their issues and delay a diagnosis.
In addition, girls and women who suffer from ADHD tend to present their symptoms in a different way than men or boys. They may be more numb and have a greater incidence of coexisting anxiety or mood disorders, like depression. These factors could be the reason for women and girls with ADHD being misdiagnosed more often than males or females.
Although awareness of ADHD has increased but it's still a problem that affects millions of people. It's more prevalent in early adulthood and adolescence, when students are trying to balance school or work. Parents and teachers should be aware that their child or granddaughter might be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they get her the help she needs.