Do you know any female who is more hyperactive and impulsive and often faces emotional instability? There is a greater possibility that she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both men and women can have ADHD and experience negative effects on normal life functioning.
This article is a comprehensive guide to the most common signs and symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. You will also understand how the symptoms are presented differently in girls and women. Getting diagnosed with ADHD symptoms on an early basis assists in getting the timely treatment of ADHD.
So, let’s take a deep dive in!
ADHD Symptoms in Girls and Women
ADHD is a common mental illness that affects the mental state of individuals. Attention as well as other executive brain functions are affected. ADHD is most often identified in boys, but women also have this mental illness. If the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are left untreated in the early stages then they persist to adulthood, and then affected women face difficulty in managing their life with ADHD. However, ADHD in both men and women look different”.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both men and women. Girls and women suffering from ADHD do not pay attention in the classroom and mostly forget the most important things. Moreover, they also show more hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Affected girls and women face difficulty in maintaining a balance between their personal and professional lives. However, they can recover from the symptoms of ADHD with effective treatment options.
In previous times, people believed that ADHD only affected males. But when more females are diagnosed with ADHD, this belief disappears. The onset of ADHD is not limited to any gender, as both males and females can suffer from this at any point in their lives. However, in some cases, ADHD symptoms in females are ignored or misdiagnosed with any other common mental illness.
How common is ADHD in women?
As compared to girls and women, more boys and men have ADHD. However, nowadays, more women are getting diagnosed with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to the CDC, the current prevalence of ADHD in adults is approximately 4.4% percent.
1. Childhood to Adolescence
From childhood to adolescent stages, females are more likely to show the inattentive symptoms of ADHD as compared to others. They are more in the daydreaming phase than they are in reality. At the same time, boys are more hyperactive or exhibit the symptoms of combined-type ADHD.
Another major factor is that they talk excessively and often interrupt others’ conversations. They do not even think before saying a single word and face issues in communication.
Teenage girls who have ADHD do not feel confident in sharing their opinions, thoughts, and emotions in social gatherings and, therefore, prefer to stay alone.
2. Adulthood stages
As the age progresses, symptoms of ADHD get worse, and women feel more difficulty in different areas of their life.
- They find life more challenging due to emotional instability.
- Adult women with ADHD usually feel more restless.
- Their mind usually remains filled with intrusive or racing thoughts.
- Keeping a balance between their personal and professional life is more challenging for them.
- Adult females with ADHD do not efficiently handle multitasking at the same time due to distorted thought patterns.
- Adult women also experience symptom severity due to additional reasons, which include hormonal changes. Moreover, they show more sensitivity to other internal and external stress factors.
Signs and symptoms of ADHD in girls and women
ADHD symptoms are similar in both girls and women as in men and boys. But, the difference lies in how they manifest in different age groups. However, inattention is common in both girls and women battling with ADHD.
1. Inattention
Girls with ADHD face difficulty in paying attention and learning important things. The scenario worsens when they do not feel interested or consider the tasks or activity complex. Affected girls with ADHD fail to get good marks in exams due to a lack of ability to pay attention in classrooms. They do not understand what the teacher is teaching them and also do not follow their instructions. Moreover, adult girls who work in any professional environment also forget essential dates of appointments, etc., and consider their professional responsibilities more challenging. When they wake up early, they even forget their keys, wallet, phone, and all those they need throughout the day. Overall, they fail to maintain the quality of their academic and professional life and ultimately achieve their goals.
2. Impulsivity
Teenage or adolescent girls who have ADHD usually exhibit more impulsive behavior. They do not consider what they can face or the consequences before acting or doing anything. Their hyperimpulsivity is shown in their multiple activities, such as fast or rash driving. Moreover, their extra shopaholic nature also reflects their hyper-impulsive behavior. In addition, they also show risky sexual behavior without even thinking that their health can be affected. Professional females with ADHD are committed to multiple things at the same time and somehow face difficulty in fulfilling their duties with accuracy.
3. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive behavior is also typical in both men and women who are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Affected males exhibit more anger and physical movements, such as excessive climbing and running. Like them, females with ADHD are also more hyperactive. They feel more active and have an overactive brain. Some other associated symptoms of hyperactivity in ADHD girls include:
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Fidgeting behavior
- Making careless mistakes
- Extreme levels of anxiety
- Stimming behavior
- Procrastination
- Disorganization
- Urge to do everything consistently.
- Extra talkative behavior
- Excessive physical movement
- Instability of emotions
Mood swings are more common in ADHD girls or females as compared to males. Their mood swings are due to emotional instability that can range from mild to severe conditions. They can get sad or happy within a few seconds. Any trigger can result in extreme levels of excitement and sadness. For example, most females start crying even when they hear that the plan is canceled. They delve into the stress and frustration until they get positive or exciting stimuli to become happy again.
4. Hyperfocus nature
Girls with ADHD usually get absorbed into just one thing or activity and forget others. Due to their extreme absorption, their nature is referred to as hyperfocus. For example, if they start reading one subject, they spend their time just sticking to it. They do not read other objects or do not feel interested in them. Likewise, most of the females with ADHD also exhibit hyperfocus behavior as they keep organizing things at home for a more extended period without even taking a break. In addition, they make extra efforts to gain perfection in things and take excessive stress that disrupts their normal life functioning.
5. Difficulty with Relationships
Girls dealing with ADHD also face difficulty in maintaining the balance between their personal and professional lives. Due to the extreme intensity of emotions, they do not open up their feelings and thoughts and, therefore, fail to communicate with their loved ones effectively. If you think that you are at that point where you are unable to speak your heart out, you can get professional help and get rid of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
6. Reduced self-esteem
Most of the females with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder consider themselves worthless and have reduced self-esteem and confidence. Moreover, they feel that they cannot do anything in their life. Due to the multiple symptoms of ADHD, they have to face various challenges in their life. They struggle to learn, remember, and face criticism that, in turn, reduces their confidence and self-esteem in each aspect of their life.
7. Executive Dysfunction
Executive dysfunction is also a common symptom of ADHD in females. Appropriate executive functioning is vital in life as it helps plan things or make certain decisions. However, in the case of ADHD, executive functioning is affected. Making a simple decision in life becomes challenging for them, and their minds get stuck to a single point for a long time.
Some additional ADHD indications
ADHD in girls and women doesn’t need to be only identified by the symptoms. Some indications also help in the identification of ADHD in females, which include co-occurring mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Moreover, affected females face difficulty making and maintaining a strong bond with their partner. In that case, it is also an indication that she has a mental illness such as ADHD.
The sexual behavior of both girls and women is also different in both girls and women. Due to ADHD symptoms, most of the girls become more sexually active at a significantly young age. They have more sexual desire as compared to girls of the same age. This can urge them to engage in any harmful sexual activity.
Treatment of ADHD in Girls and Women
Multiple proven treatment options are helpful for the treatment of ADHD in girls and women. By effectively managing the symptoms of ADHD, both girls and women can live a stress-free life. The most common treatment strategies that experts employ are as follows:
1. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a talk therapy that is used to treat or prevent the symptoms of all common mental issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and all other common mental problems. Multiple psychotherapies are considered highly effective in getting rid of ADHD symptoms, such as:
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that targets negative and distorted thought patterns and associated behavior. Experts first identify the triggers of negative thoughts and then teach the individuals the most significant ways to transform them into positive ones. Moreover, women with ADHD also learn a diverse range of coping strategies to deal with ADHD.
3. Dialectical behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy also comprises some elements of cognitive behavioral therapy. The primary role of dialectical behavioral therapy is to teach individuals multiple skills that help them regulate their emotions and relationships.
4. Behavioral strategies
The primary role of behavioral strategies is to teach women multiple organizational skills. Moreover, they also learn how to manage their time according to the assigned time frame.
5. Medications
Always remember that if you have ADHD symptoms, then you can not get a complete cure with the help of medications. However, the appropriate dosage can help to control the symptoms. ADHD medications are recommended only in those cases when symptoms are severe, and the therapy alone is not working.
Experts recommend the following medications to treat ADHD:
6. Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications are specialized drugs that improve mood and energy levels. Some common stimulants include:
Amphetamines: Vyvanse & Adderall
Non-amphetamines: Focalin & Concerta
7. Non-stimulant medications
Non-stimulants do not stimulate the central nervous system. They are used to manage the symptoms of ADHD. The most common non-stimulants include:
- Onida XR
- Intuniv
- Strattera
8. Support groups
Women dealing with ADHD can also get support from support groups. By joining the support groups, women can overcome their ADHD. As the support group provides a safe place, they feel free to share their mental issues or concerns. By sharing their problems and life experiences, they learn from each other and apply the developed strategies to eliminate the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Lifestyle changes
With the help of some positive lifestyle changes, you can also get relief from the symptoms of ADHD. Prioritize your mental health as your physical health and start self-care.
1. Healthy diet
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and organic food. Avoid processed food items if you want to stay physically and mentally active.
2. Adequate sleep
Get enough sleep if you want to stay active throughout the day and pay attention to the vital tasks of your life.
3. Regular exercise
Doing exercise regularly also helps in managing the symptoms of ADHD. With the increased blood supply to the brain, multiple executive functions improve.
How do you support a girl or woman with ADHD?
Untreated ADHD in female adults or teens can present more challenges in their lives. However, you can give them support to overcome their symptoms of ADHD.
1. Develop an understanding of ADHD
Most of the females usually remain unaware of the symptoms of ADHD. But you can help them better understand this condition and develop preventive strategies accordingly.
2. Show support and encouragement
You should show your support to them. Make them feel secure that they are not alone, and they can quickly recover from the symptoms of ADHD. Listen to their feelings and emotions and guide them without judgment or criticism.
3. Develop a secure environment
When you speak with them, develop a secure and friendly environment so they never feel any hesitation, speak their heart out, and, in return, get the best solutions to combat their illness.
4. Elevate their self-confidence
Girls and women who have ADHD usually have reduced confidence and self-esteem. But you should praise them and always give them positive feedback so they never lose their self-confidence and surpass all challenges with courage and confidence.
Seek professional help
If a female with ADHD feels that dealing with ADHD symptoms is becoming more challenging for them, then guide her to seek professional help from experts. Multiple online platforms provide mental health assistance to both girls and women dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Among them, Brainpower Wellness Institute is leading in providing the desired mental care to ADHD girls and women.
Final thoughts
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both males and females. However, this mental illness manifests differently in girls and women as compared to men and boys. Both girls and women exhibit more inattentive behavior as compared to the males, who have more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. Moreover, ADHD in women is usually misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to multiple factors. Due to symptoms of ADHD, girls and women face more challenges in their lives. But fortunately, ADHD is treatable in women. Therapy and medications can work together and make significant improvements in ADHD symptoms.
Get Professional support for ADHD
If you know any girl or woman who is battling with ADHD, then Brainpower Wellness Institute should be your ultimate choice. Brainpower is an ideal and renowned mental platform that offers a range of mental health services to treat common mental health issues in US individuals. We have professional and trained experts who provide personalized solutions for each individual, including men and women. With our professional support and guidance, each suffering from ADHD can eradicate their symptoms and live a stress-free and successful life. So don’t wait anymore. Contact our mental health experts to schedule a consultation and get the best mental health solutions.
