ADHD Among Women – Identifying and Overcoming the Distinctive Hurdles
Discovering the Unseen Struggle
“What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I function like a normal human being?” I ask myself every time I fall short of society’s expectations for success. As I began to notice and take in my college friends’ bedrooms, cars, study areas and habits, daily routines, and so on, I realized that maybe I needed to change my life, and this change begins with understanding why my ADHD makes my daily life a difficult task. Each day is marked by inconsistency and chaos, as I lack any routine, discipline, or structure. I struggle with daily tasks, especially when it comes to following through, resulting in piles of unfinished tasks … especially laundry. My sleep schedule is all over the place! Some days, I stay up all hours of the night and sleep the day away. Other days I find myself pulling all-nighters, but regardless of the amount of sleep I get the night before, I always wake up tired.
This past semester, after more than a few skipped classes, as well as missed deadlines and assignments, I began researching why these basic life functions, these seemingly simple concepts, were so hard for me to grasp. Frustration became intertwined with the blood flowing throughout my body as I failed, time and time again, to change my reality.
How can I learn to control and conquer each day when my ADHD has control over my life?
Before we dive in, it is important to define and comprehend the meaning of ADHD.
Introduction
What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms can significantly interfere with an individual’s daily functioning and overall development. It is a condition that affects people of all ages, impacting several aspects of their lives, some of which include, academic and professional achievements, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning (Harpin, 2005). Understanding the symptoms of ADHD and seeking appropriate treatment can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders issued by the American Psychiatric Association,
There are three types of ADHD:
The Importance of Recognizing and Addressing ADHD in Women
Research studies on the effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on adult women are limited. The existing research tends to focus more on children, adolescents, and men. Unfortunately, studies indicate that boys are more likely to receive an accurate ADHD diagnosis than girls.
The gender bias and overlooking of ADHD symptoms in girls may contribute to these disparities. Girls tend to display fewer “hyperactive” behaviors than boys, which are more commonly associated with ADHD and thus, more often studied.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in young girls can persist into adulthood, adversely affecting their overall quality of life. It is vital to diagnose and treat ADHD early on to prevent potential complications later in life.
Understanding ADHD in Women
ADHD symptoms are primarily associated with executive dysfunction, which refers to the difficulty in regulating focus, concentration, emotional responses, impulsivity, and self-motivation.
Symptoms and signs of ADHD in adult women may include:
- Difficulty with time management
- Disorganization
- Feeling overwhelmed
- History of anxiety and depression
- Difficulty with money management
It is a common occurrence for women with ADHD to experience co-occurring issues, such as compulsive overeating, chronic sleep deprivation, or excessive alcohol consumption.
Signs
| Relationships | ADHD in women can also manifest in social situations. They may have trouble following social norms and cues or be overwhelmed easily, which might result in the reputation of being “difficult,” “eccentric,” or “distracted” among peers. |
| Social Life | ADHD in women can manifest in social situations as well. They may have trouble following social norms and cues or be overwhelmed easily in social situations. This might result in the reputation of being “difficult”, “eccentric”, or “distracted” among peers. |
| Work | Professionally, women with ADHD may exhibit signs like missed deadlines, disorganization, forgetfulness, and a lack of attention to detail. This could be debilitating in a work context, giving rise to unnecessary conflicts and stress. |
| School | In academic settings, ADHD can lead to a struggle with retaining information, organizing thoughts and written tasks, poor time management skills, and lower grades – despite showing a high level of intelligence in other ways. |
Symptoms
Symptoms, depending on the type of ADHD, can manifest in several ways:
Women with inattentive ADHD may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Dealing with continuous criticism for being careless
- Difficulty in multitasking or handling multiple relationships
- Missing deadlines
- Doing tasks at the last minute due to procrastination
- The behavior of “spacing out” during meetings or conversations
- Struggling to maintain tidiness and organization at school, home, or work
- Habitually misplacing or forgetting items, such as your phone, keys, or glasses
- Repeatedly missing appointments or forgetting to return calls
- Difficulty in decision-making or strategy-building
Although women with ADHD may exhibit less frequent hyperactive and impulsive symptoms than men, such behaviors can still manifest in them, such as:
- Restlessness and fidgeting
- Switching frequently between tasks or topics
- Talking excessively
- Frequently interrupting or speaking over others
- Having trouble sitting still or remaining calm in the presence of others
- Trouble maintaining friendships
Women with ADHD are more susceptible to:
- Experiencing bullying from peers, whether in-person or online
- Difficulties in managing emotions, particularly sensitivity to rejection, also known as rejection sensitive dysphoria
- Difficulties related to learning, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia
- Symptoms that are associated with mental health have a physical manifestation, including headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping
- Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are often related
- Behaviors that involve self-injury, such as cutting, nail-biting, skin-picking, and other similar actions
- Difficulty making and keeping friends and relationships – women often hide, or “mask” their symptoms to fit in better
My Personal Experience with ADHD Symptoms
These symptoms, which took me years to pinpoint and understand, have caused hardships and struggles throughout my life. However, it was not until my symptoms had taken control over me, becoming the driving force behind every action I took, that I began to research ways to manage them. Still today, I find it difficult to form the healthy habits and routines that are necessary for my lifestyle. Throughout my entire academic education, I have put things off until the last minute. My procrastination feeds off of the anticipated, unwanted emotions that come with completing my required coursework, which triggers my poor time management skills. Looking back, I realize that I repeatedly found myself cramming before assignment deadlines and exams. In those moments, I lacked the ability to regulate my emotions, so I became stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. These symptoms provoke several other negative symptoms that make my day-to-day life a challenge.
Summary
ADHD may present itself differently in females than males. In females, the symptoms of inattention may be more pronounced, rather than hyperactivity or impulsiveness. Additionally, women and girls with ADHD are more susceptible to anxiety and depression and tend to receive a later diagnosis due to the less disruptive nature of their symptoms. Although the treatment for ADHD is similar for both genders, females are less frequently prescribed ADHD medication, possibly due to a lack of recognition or misdiagnosis of their symptoms or due to a misconception that ADHD is a predominantly male condition.
Additional Resources
References
https://www.verywellhealth.com/adhd-in-women-common-signs-and-symptoms-5211604
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24741-adhd-in-women
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-in-women
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