Female Symptoms of ADHD

Women and adolescents with ADHD tend to exhibit inattention symptoms, as opposed to the hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more prevalent in boys and men. This means they are more likely to be overlooked and not properly diagnosed.

Gender stereotypes can be a factor, as caregivers may assume that girls who are quiet or dreamy are simply "being girls." ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual period and perimenopause.

1. Hyperactivity

When it comes to ADHD, the first thought many people have is the hyperactive boy bouncing off the walls in class. This is a type of ADHD that affects women and girls. ADHD symptoms for women and young girls are often harder to identify than those of boys, which is why the condition is often misdiagnosed or left untreated.

Women suffering from ADHD are prone to an impulsive behavior that makes it difficult for them to think and stop before they act. They may not be able to listen when other people are talking and they may have trouble adhering to instructions or completing tasks. These difficulties can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family members, romantic partners, friends and coworkers.

Many women with ADHD suffer from sensitivity to rejection, which is a strong emotional response to real or perceived rejection. This can make it difficult for a woman who suffers from ADHD to manage, particularly when she is self-conscious or has difficulty forming relationships with peers.

Symptoms of ADHD in women can flare up at various times during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. These hormonal fluctuations can cause anxiety, mood swings, and trouble with concentration.

Exercise, diet and sleep habits can help women and girls with ADHD control their symptoms. Regular physical activity releases neurotransmitters that boost attention and concentration. It can also calm anxiety and stress that are common among women with ADHD. Being able to sleep enough and taking breaks can help ADHD symptoms. Many people who suffer from ADHD can benefit from using tools such as checklists, planners, and post-it notes to track their activities. In some cases medical professionals may prescribe medication to manage symptoms.

2. Inattention

Girls and women with inattentive ADHD often don't get diagnosed until symptoms are severe. They are often struggling to stay on top at school, their homes can be messy, and they face difficulties with relationships and performance. They may attempt to compensate for their symptoms by hiding them or claiming that they are not affected.

Gender bias can be a factor in misdiagnosis or omissions. For instance, if boys exhibit symptoms of impulsivity or hyperactivity and signs, they are more likely to be diagnosed and treated. On the other hand, girls who display inattentive symptoms are often dismissed as space-bound, dreamy or uninteresting.


The symptoms of adhd that cause inattention can show up in many ways: You forget appointments, don't follow through on promises and are unable to stay focused in meetings or classroom lectures. You don't have time to wait around and keep interrupting others when you're talking. You have a weak memory and often lose things or forget where they are. You have difficulty following simple instructions and tend to avoid tasks that require concentration such as homework or chores.

The symptoms of inattention ADHD can also be exacerbated when hormonal changes occur, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or perimenopause (the menopausal transition). This makes it harder for you to pay attention at work or at home, and can make it harder to keep friendships intact or reach goals in life.

Exercise can help you manage your symptoms. It releases brain chemicals, like dopamine, that can boost your concentration and mood. Regular exercise can help you burn extra energy and ease depression or anxiety symptoms -- which are common among women with ADHD.

3. Anxiety

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD often experience more mood and anxiety symptoms than impulsivity and hyperactivity. Girls are often reluctant to acknowledge that they struggle due to gender role expectations. They tend to hide ADHD symptoms by concealing 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 a natural response to stress and danger. It can be overwhelming and debilitating but it's a great thing. It keeps you aware of danger and helps you respond quickly if there is something amiss. Unfortunately anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms, like sweating and jitteriness. It can also trigger a rapid heartbeat, or palpitations. An anxiety disorder may be diagnosed in those who suffer from frequent, severe, or even disabling anxiety. This is a type of panic disorder in which you experience frequent, sudden anxiety attacks; phobias which are the result of a heightened fear of certain objects or situations; obsessive-compulsive disorder in which irrational thoughts and repetitive behavior control your life; and separation anxiety disorder, in which you are afraid of being away from your home or your family.

Many women with ADHD struggle with a concept known as "time blindness." They can miss important dates or appointments, arrive at the wrong location at the incorrect time, or be so lost in tasks that they miss social interactions. This can cause them to appear distant, uncaring, or unfocused to others. Good sleep habits can help keep you from becoming time blind and can make them appear unfocused, so try to adhere to a regular time for bed and do something that is relaxing before you go to sleep, such as reading, listening to music or meditating.

4. Disorganization

Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized. They may have difficulty to keep track of their appointments, schedules and other belongings. Their home, office and car may be cluttered and their purses could be filled with receipts, 17 chapsticks or tickets to the Kings of Leon concert of 2008. Their lack of organization and forgetfulness could make it difficult to maintain and develop relationships at work and in their personal lives.

Women may also find it difficult to express themselves in social situations. They can be impulsive and impatient, causing them to interrupt others or shout things out without considering the consequences. The struggle to filter their thoughts can lead to confusion and hurt feelings.

The signs of ADHD in women can differ from day to day due to hormonal fluctuations. Estrogen levels are at their lowest at the time of ovulation and during menstrual cycles which can cause ADHD. These changes in symptom severity could be the reason why a lot of women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed and mistreated.

In addition to the differences in the brain's structure and the chemicals that are associated with ADHD in females and males, there is also a bias against diagnosing women with 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 with ADHD can manage their symptoms by taking medications and other treatments. With the right guidance they can succeed in school, at work as well as in their personal lives. Medication can help improve concentration and aid in everyday problems. Therapy for behavior and apps for smartphones can also prove beneficial.

5. Impulsivity

Women who suffer from ADHD typically have issues with control of their impulses. This is because the part of the brain that makes decisions and thinks about consequences, doesn't function similarly. This could lead to the tendency of people to do or say things without thinking about the consequences, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive behavior can lead to relationships that are damaged. It could also result in dangerous sexual behavior.

A person with ADHD might develop a range of coping strategies to help them deal with their difficulties with controlling their impulses. adhd adult symptoms might include self-medicating with alcohol or drugs or eating food as a method to soothe themselves. Having a poor diet or sleeping less than you need to can also cause trouble.

Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty to recognize that they have a problem with their behavior. They may find it difficult to explain their problems and so conceal their issues. This makes it more difficult for people to recognize their symptoms and delay a diagnosis.

Additionally women and girls with ADHD tend to present their symptoms differently than boys or men. They might be less attentive and suffer from anxiety or mood disorders like depression. These factors are the reason that women and girls with ADHD are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed than males or boys with ADHD.

Although awareness of ADHD has increased however, it's still a condition that affects millions of people. It's particularly prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood, when a lot of people are trying to meet the demands of their work or school. Parents and educators should be aware that their daughter or granddaughter may be suffering from ADHD to ensure that they receive the assistance she requires.