Gender Differences in ADHD
What’s ADHD, and how can it affect women differently from men?
ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If you’re looking to understand the fundamentals of ADHD and ADD, what triggers ADHD and how prevalent it is, as well as the various kinds of symptoms and types and more, please go through this article, which answers many of the questions about ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects both genders; however, there are some significant variations in the way it affects women and men.
For instance, women are usually identified with ADHD at a later age than males.
Experts believe that the majority of adults who have ADHD are female. They believe this is due to a range of reasons, such as that specific ADHD symptoms – like difficulty in school or a desire to be perfect are more prevalent for boys and girls.
For instance, many women who have ADHD tend to remain still, which is not typical for child psychiatrists and paediatricians who typically deal with hyperactive children.
The stereotypical character who suffers from ADHD is a hyperactive man. However, it could also be a calm girl who has ADHD.
Before diving into the specifics, it is crucial to understand that even though there is only one medical term (ADHD) with 3 subtypes (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined), ADHD takes many different forms in the way it expresses itself and how it is perceived. Therefore, I’m not making any generalisations. I’m simply a part of the general mood of my community.
Remember that every person is different, so if you believe that you don’t have ADHD just from the experiences of others. You have to determine your exact ADHD diagnosis and the appropriate ADHD treatment. The first step is to speak with mental health professionals that you can be confident in, such as doctors or psychiatrists who know you well, so that they can give medical guidance. If you’re not able to do this, then you should learn all you can on the internet and take some online ADHD assessments, and that is a great place to begin.
Once you’ve figured out what exactly ADHD is, How does it affect women differently?
One way that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) could be different for women is due to depression and low self-esteem. Women who suffer from adult ADHD often feel less fulfilled than their peers at the same educational level. They are self-conscious of themselves and experience anxiety and depression that are co-existing.
Another way that it affects women differently is through emotions. Women with ADHD struggle with explaining their feelings or what is bothering them since their feelings are typically more intense than others around them may feel. This can result in stressful relationships and constant stress due to miscommunications and difficulties in communication.The difficulty of regulating emotions, in general, could cause self-medicating or even engaging in impulsive behaviour. For instance, women accustomed to having difficulty focusing and prioritising their tasks tend to resort to an addiction to deal with their stress and then become dependent.
Is ADHD in women hiding in plain sight?
It is true! We need to be taught as a species to be aware of it and take action quickly enough to be appropriately handled.
The earlier you are aware of the issue you’re dealing with, the more likely you will develop healthy coping strategies that help you thrive and manage ADHD.
This will also assist you in avoiding the unpleasant situations and problems that adult females who have ADHD have to deal with every day.
I can share all the negative memories I’ve experienced in my childhood, which resulted from my undiagnosed, non-treated ADHD.
I will forever remember my anxiety when I tried my best to pay attention to what the teacher was saying, only to be incapable of repeating her exact words when she questioned me.
I was doing nothing but looking at the girl and listening, but there was no way to record it in my brain. I could not repeat the words she spoke of when other students would not have any trouble doing it. This was just a reflection that I was struggling with ADHD.
What is it that I am saying? Is it hiding in plain view?
Girls and women not diagnosed with ADHD are often labelled “spacey,” “excessively talkative,” or “disorganised,” making them suffer from low self-esteem. Only when they have a correct diagnosis do things make sense.
Boys are more likely to be diagnosed much more frequently as having ADHD than girls, at the same rates as they did in the past. I’m sure that most adult patients who are not diagnosed with ADHD will be female.
Are the characteristics different between females and males?
Indeed, ADHD signs in females are generally different. A few of the variations that could be indicators of ADHD for girls and women are as follows:
– Having a more challenging time following directions in school or at work when they were younger compared to children with ADHD who frequently followed instructions but struggled to stay focused.
They have a lot of trouble with managing time in their day-to-day lives.
Girls are often less likely to be diagnosed because their symptoms aren’t so obvious, and they tend to manifest later than men, and consequently, they frequently aren’t able to access support or treatment.
Women are more likely to feel differently about the symptoms of ADHD all over. Research has shown that many sufferers experience shame, low self-esteem, moodiness or sadness, and even anger. It is common for women to end up feeling secluded and misunderstood.
Adolescent women with ADHD have a higher chance of suffering from constant stress when their inability to focus, procrastination, and issues with time management can hinder their work and personal lives.
It can create an endless cycle of stress, often leading to other mental illnesses. Mental health professionals believe this is because of how women evaluate themselves against the expectations of their culture.
This is why women with ADHD might experience more depression and mental distress than males and, generally, are more likely to suffer from mood disorders.
This is one of the main reasons I started writing content on ADHD. I’m convinced that one of the major causes for many of the symptoms of ADHD for women is the fact that it’s been often not diagnosed for a long time.
Do women suffer from the same stress and anxiety If they had been diagnosed with ADHD and treated appropriately from childhood?
If I can see how my ADHD diagnosis positively changed my life and helped me overcome numerous issues, I’m confident this is the most significant.
If you are having thoughts of having ADHD, Do your homework, examine your family history, and consult with multiple specialists if needed. Do what you can to find the root of your concerns and obtain the correct diagnosis.
This is the only way to learn to recognize yourself and begin to excel when you have ADHD.
I wrote a “Could it be ADHD” Workbook to help with that. It will help you understand the initial steps to understanding ADHD symptoms so that you will be prepared to speak with doctors.
Don’t rely on my word for it, but this is precisely what Julia Strait, a Licensed Psychologist, wrote on my Amazon page for my product:
“This resource is a must for women who are thinking about or planning for an ADHD diagnostic test.
Alice talks us through the primary and associated signs of ADHD for women with an authentic, compassionate voice. Her illustrations and tips are accurate. I particularly like how her method is non-stupid and based on research and clinical research.
Just get it, ok? If it’s clear, you can follow up with a phone call to your local psychiatrist or psychologist, and we’ll devise a solution together.“