ADHD is a common but complex neurodevelopmental disorder. It not only affects children but also exerts negative impacts on the lives of female adults. The rate of ADHD occurrence is higher in males, although females are more prone to this disorder. Moreover, ADHD female symptoms are difficult to diagnose due to numerous factors. If you are concerned about ADHD in females and the associated negative life impacts, then this article is remarkable for you. After reading this article, you will surely understand the ADHD female symptoms and its associated factors.
ADHD in Females
ADHD is a common cognitive disorder that can affect the female brain. Females usually experience inattention and hypersensitivity that makes it difficult for them to perform their daily tasks. However, most females remain undiagnosed with ADHD female symptoms. ADHD symptoms are quite different in both males and females. Primarily, various studies have indicated that females usually suffer from the inattentive type of ADHD. On the other hand, males are more likely to have the symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. Due to the more apparent symptoms, ADHD is more diagnosed in males.
- What are the symptoms of ADHD in female adults?
Most adult females usually suffer from ADHD and exhibit different symptoms in the body. The most common symptoms include:
- Lack of concentration
- Forgetting the essential daily chores
- Mostly seems confused
- Often remain nervous and stressed
- Get distracted easily
- Face difficulty in task management
- Loss of passion
- Avoid engaging in social activities
- Internal tiredness
- Short attention to every detail
- Prefer to stay away from productive efforts requiring activities
Alarming ADHD Female Symptoms
If you have the following symptoms then there is a greater probability that you are going to be the victim of this disorder. Some alarming ADHD female symptoms include:
- Extra emotional situation
- Being oversensitive to noise
- Oversharing
- Speaking before thinking
- Adapting self-destructive habits in a progressive manner
- Fear of rejection in society and close circle
- Onset of eating disorders
- Depression and anxiety
- Social anxiety disorders
- Intake of drugs or alcohol
- Staying in a toxic relationships
- Onset of ADHD symptoms in female child
- Diagnosis of ADHD female symptoms
ADHD diagnosis for women usually occurs in the childhood stages. School instructors or parents can identify the ADHD female symptoms. However, diagnosis in adulthood is comparatively difficult. Moreover, their greater probability in males is also considered as another factor that imparts difficulty in diagnosis. However, in other cases, adult females are also capable of hiding their ADHD symptoms. They feel shy in making their ADHD female symptoms obvious.
How do symptoms of ADHD in adults female appear?
ADHD is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from the deficiency of specialized neurotransmitters in the brain. Moreover, they are released in blood and then transported to their target regions. Furthermore, due to a deficiency of norepinephrine, ADHD symptoms female teenagers usually appear. This hormone or neurotransmitter plays an important role in developing the body’s fight and flight response. Noradrenaline and its two essential building blocks, dopamine and dopa are also deficient which results in the signs of ADHD in adults female.
Distinguishing factors between Male and ADHD female symptoms
The body of the females react differently in the case of ADHD as compared to the males. The major difference lies in the size of the hippocampus. Females have larger hippocampus as compared to males. The hippocampus is the main brain center that is involved in the processing and storing of memories. Due to the larger size, the hippocampus is more susceptible to any external damage or stressful situations.
Furthermore, the ratio of estrogen receptors is also greater in the hippocampus of the females. Moreover, certain estrogen hormones in the female body are responsible for the activation of estrogen receptors. Furthermore, they are the specialized hormones that are involved in sexual development. They are responsible for maintaining various body mechanisms. Furthermore, estrogen hormones also regulate pregnancy in females. If the fluctuations occur in the estrogen level, various complications can occur. Hormonal fluctuations in a female’s life can adversely affect the functioning of the brain. This can cause the onset of ADHD female symptoms.
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Hypersensitivities in females
The occurrence of hypersensitivities in the central nervous system is more common in females as compared to males. Adult females are more prone to body aches, especially migraine. Likewise, their somatic complaints are also in a greater ratio. They most often feel unconsciousness and nausea. Their brain takes more time to relax their body. Therefore, their bodies experience disturbance in reproductive cycles, sleep-wake cycles, etc. Hypersensitivity can also cause various other ADHD female symptoms.
Occurrence of Inattentive ADHD type
Different ADHD female symptoms are found in females. However, females are more likely to suffer from the inattentive ADHD type. As the name indicates, ADHD females usually face issues of inattentiveness. However, this type usually remains undiagnosed due to apparent symptoms of anxiety or depression. On the other hand, this ADHD type in women makes them unique among others. Impulsivity in ADHD makes such females more adventurous and curious. They love to explore their life interests with extreme passion. They acquire the capabilities of creative thinking that assist in solving numerous life issues.
Occurrence of comorbid disorder
Females are most likely to suffer from multiple disorders at the same time. This condition that results in increased ADHD intensity is called comorbid. The most common comorbid disorders along with ADHD female symptoms include:
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety or depression
- Personality disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Mood disorders
- Misdiagnosis of ADHD female symptoms
ADHD female symptoms are usually misdiagnosed. Moreover, hormonal fluctuations are common at the time of puberty. They affect the ADHD symptoms in women. Additionally, ADHD symptoms are misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or any mood disorder. Despite treating ADHD female symptoms, females usually ignore this disorder and remain stressed for a longer period. Furthermore, ADHD inattentiveness is misdiagnosed as daydreaming as it is more common in females. Likewise, their anger and undesired interruption in others’ activities are also considered as chattiness. Due to the misdiagnosis of ADHD women signs, they face extreme difficulty in overcoming ADHD. Therefore, they thrive with ADHD symptoms.
Various studies have indicated that the ratio of ADHD in adult females is 6.76%. On the other hand, the ratio of ADHD symptoms diagnosed in adulthood is approximately 20 to 25%. However, the diagnosis of ADHD female symptoms in the 30s is just 5%. Moreover, female children are not effectively diagnosed with ADHD symptoms. This then becomes difficult to diagnose at the age of 40 or 50 due to the presence of other comorbid disorders.
Negative effects of ADHD female symptoms
Reduced self esteem
Adult girls suffering from ADHD female symptoms usually have low self-esteem. They always consider themselves worthless and remain irritated. They react more adversely to emotional and physiological stress situations as compared to the males. Due to their lack of confidence, they prefer to stay alone. Moreover, affected females also exhibit anger towards their loved ones. However, in most cases, they hide the ADHD female symptoms due to their shyness and sense of rejection from society. They consider their life in a more chaotic situation and ultimately destroy their peace of mind.
Difficulty in management
Due to ADHD female symptoms, they are unable to effectively organize their daily life tasks. They consider all the tasks more challenging and therefore, feel calm in doing nothing. If the affected females are workers then they always miss their meetings or reach their late. Instead of focusing on important details, they waste their energy and time on negative thoughts, They love daydreaming instead of paying attention to important things. They also avoid communicating with their colleagues. They prefer to work in a noise-free calmer environment.
Emotional disturbance
ADHD female symptoms cause them to exhibit extreme emotions and feelings. The alterations of their mood swings usually take a few seconds. They even feel lonely in a crowd. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, and various other mental disorders. Due to ADHD in older females symptoms, they fail to maintain healthy relationships with their partners or loved ones. Unintentionally, they utter hurting words in anger.
Treatment of ADHD Symptoms in Women
Untreated ADHD in female adults can lead to many complications. So it is extremely essential to treat signs and symptoms of ADHD in female adults. Multiple studies also suggested different medicines and therapies to treat ADHD female symptoms.
Psychotherapy
One of the widely used therapies to treat female presenting ADHD symptoms is psychotherapy. This therapy involves a session with a mental health expert where females share their thoughts and problematic issues. Therapists assist them in diagnosing the accurate issues and the underlying strategies to deal with them. Females learn to control the trigger factors of ADHD female symptoms.
Medications
Different medications are recommended by physicians to treat or prevent symptoms of ADHD in adults female
Stimulants
Specific medications that are used to treat ADHD female symptoms are stimulants. Different physicians suggested stimulants to manage ADHD. The most commonly used stimulants are as follows:
Dextro amphetamine
Methylphenidate
Ritalin
Adderall
Non-Stimulants
Uncontrolled substances are the non-stimulants. They can also treat ADHD female symptoms, although work differently. Different types of non-stimulant medications that are effective for ADHD women signs include:
- Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Non -tricyclic antidepressants
- Nonscheduled stimulants
- Alpha-2 noradrenergic agonists
However, the most widely used non-stimulant medications include:
- Viloxazine
- Clonidine
- Guanfacine
- Atomoxetine
Recently Approved Medications
One of the best recently introduced non-stimulants is Qelbree. Likewise, xelstrym is also considered functional to treat ADHD female symptoms.
Side effects of ADHD medications
It is better to take the ADHD medications under the physician’s care. However, they can also cause some serious side effects which include:
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Reduced level of appetite
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Nausea or vomiting
- Disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle
- Antidepressants
Physicians also suggested some antidepressants to treat ADHD in older females’ symptoms, which include:
Effexor
Effexor is also refeered as venlafaxine. It works as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. As ADHD results from neurotransmitter deficiency, it elevates their levels in the brain. Increased number of serotonin and norepinephrine suppress the common ADHD symptoms in female adults.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. They not only increase the level of noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain but are also effective in treating impulsivity and hypersensitivity. This antidepressant typically works after three to seven days of delivery in blood.
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Lifestyle Alterations
ADHD female symptoms can be easily treated or prevented by adopting healthy life habits. Moreover, physical workouts are always preferred to acquire mental resilience. Different meditation exercises are extremely useful in controlling the symptoms of ADHD in adults female. They are very helpful in providing a sense of calmness and pleasure.
Balanced Diet
Likewise, a healthy and balanced diet also plays a significant role in improving brain efficiency and overall health. Intake of protein-rich food and other essential nutrients makes the females physically and mentally stronger.
Supplements to treat ADHD female symptoms
Different studies have also recommended the use of various supplements for signs of ADHD adult women.
Omega 3 Fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are also helpful in preventing ADHD female symptoms. They can improve the brain efficiency and associated memory. It also increases the uptake of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Iron
Iron is essential for enhanced brain activity. A deficiency of iron can cause ADHD female symptoms. If the deficiency occurs in the initial development stages then it can also cause signs and symptoms of ADHD in female adults. Furthermore, iron deficiency can also result in the ineffective storage of iron in the liver. Therefore, the intake of iron-rich foods is significant which includes beans, dried fruits, liver, etc.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also vital for the effective functioning of brain neurotransmitters. It is also involved in the better uptake of dopamine in the brain. Therefore, it is recommended to take Vitamin C-rich foods including oranges, strawberries, kale, red pepper, etc.
Magnesium
Magnesium is also effective in treating ADHD female symptoms. It is responsible for maintaining the symptoms of hyperactivity. However, the dosage of magnesium is varied based on the gender and age.
Probiotics
Probiotics are those supplements that contain living organisms. They are also called friendly microbes. They significantly function in regulating normal gut activity. Atomoxetine and strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus are used as a combined dosage to treat ADHD women signs.
Self-care
Practicing self-care is also essential to avoid or treat ADHD female symptoms. Adults as well as ADHD teenage girls should focus on their self-care. They can do this by adopting different self-care therapies. Moreover, they can participate in different enjoyable activities. They should prioritize the time for self-relaxation and care instead of completely indulging in household chores.
Female ADHD test
Any blood or body test is not useful in diagnosis of the ADHD female symptoms. However, experts can better diagnose by listening to the symptoms of ADHD in adults female. Usually, health experts conduct a physical test which is called the female ADHD test. The main purpose of the physical examination is to better identify ADHD female symptoms. The medical history of the patients is also analyzed.
ADHD in Women Checklist
The most frequently asked questions in the female ADHD test include:
- Are you facing any complications in managing your daily life activities?
- Do you feel any interest in initiating a new project?
- Do you prefer to stay alone or in crowded places?
- How often do you feel tired or nervous?
- Are you facing any difficulty in paying attention to important tasks?
- Do you frequently forget the easy things or tasks?
Female presenting ADHD symptoms are then asked to answer the above-mentioned questions. Experts then identify the ADHD female symptoms according to the answers.
As most of the ADHD females remain undiagnosed, so it’s very difficult to diagnose and treat this disorder. If you have faced reduced self-esteem in your childhood, then you might have ADHD female symptoms. You can also take the above-mentioned self-quiz to identify your condition.
Concluding Remarks
ADHD is a mental disorder that affects the function and development of the brain. This disorder affects females more as compared to males. Despite the occurrence, there is a greater prominence rate of c. However, by implementing the best preventive or treatment therapies, it is possible to avoid the lethal consequences. If you know someone who has the signs and symptoms of ADHD in female adults, then take our finest mental services from Brainpower Wellness Institute. Our experts are 24/7 available to cater to your all health needs. Simply schedule an online meeting and get infinite solutions for your all mental disorders including ADHD.
