Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the closely related Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are developmental disorders characterized by inability to pay attention, remain focused or concentrate on tasks requiring sustained attention. Typically seen in children, these symptoms fall into three broad categories, predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive and combination type. Statistically, three times more male children get diagnosed with ADHD than females. It is estimated that a similar disparity continues in the case of adult ADHD. ADHD among women comes with its unique set of problems, some of it due to social stereotyping, and others from the gender roles that accentuate or mask typical symptoms.
Here are some facts about ADHD in women that will make identifying and addressing it easier for you.
1. ADHD symptoms in women tend to be more subtle
While boys and men may typically express their attention deficit issues through external motor activities, such as poor impulse control, and aggression or disorderly conduct, girls and women tend to internalize things, and their symptoms are more subtle. They usually display symptoms like fidgeting, hair twirling, forgetfulness, disorganization, and unhappiness.
2. Women manifest emotional symptoms of ADHD
As mentioned above, most of the symptoms displayed by men are of a physical and outwardly nature, where are with women these are more emotional and subjective in nature, thus leading to the lower rate of diagnosis and treatment. Added to this are the expectations forced upon women by the social stereotyping mentioned next, resulting in their developing coping skills to further mask the symptoms.
3. Gender stereotypes make diagnosis more difficult
Social stereotypes become a major obstacle for women with ADHD to receive professional help early on, since many of the symptoms are brushed aside as gender specific behavior. Most cases of adult ADHD in women tend to get misdiagnosed earlier in life as anxiety disorder or depression. Studies have established that women with adult ADHD tend to develop secondary depression and anxiety, with ADHD being the primary condition.
4. Early intervention is possible
Look out for early signs of ADHD in women such as daydreaming and hyper-talkativeness. Look out for unstable social relationships and difficulty completing tasks. These may be indications of ADHD in women. Often, younger girls and women with ADHD symptoms tend to embrace a large range of academic and social activities, which ends up clouding the symptoms under the haze of busy-ness.
5. ADHD can be more debilitating for women
Due to the fluctuating levels of estrogen in a woman’s body, the levels of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which control reward mechanisms, reasoning and concentration, also fluctuate, making it all the more difficult for women with ADHD to cope with their symptoms.
6. ADHD in women can stay masked till late in life
Most cases of adult ADHD in women do not get diagnosed till the late 30’s or early 40’s. This is because the symptoms become more observable and acute as a woman approaches menopause and the estrogen levels begin to taper off.
Treatment for women with ADHD is effective
Once the air around ADHD symptoms is cleared, and treatment started for the real problem, women can effectively recover from the debilitating condition. Through a multidisciplinary approach utilizing psychotherapeutic and pharmacological modalities, much of the symptoms can be eliminated.
Identifying ADHD in women can be the first line of treatment
One of the biggest mysteries facing women with undiagnosed ADHD is the question of why their internal lives are the way they are, disorganized, distracted, forgetful, hyperactive, and dysphoric. For a lot of women, this lack of understanding comes with a sense of self condemnation and depression, leading to low self worth and feelings of shame and guilt. Once adult ADHD is diagnosed and the patient begins to comprehend the reason for her feelings and behavior, this cloak of self doubt is lifted, and she is able to accept her condition as a medical disorder and go forward from that premise.
ADHD can be turned into a source of strength
Most women who suffer from adult ADHD do not get diagnosed with the condition till late in life. In this period, they have gone on to assume roles as adults, setting up careers, homes, and undertaking the responsibilities of motherhood and public life. In this process, they usually develop very strong compensatory coping skills in order to function at levels comparable to the general population. Once ADHD is diagnosed, they can use the support of treatment modalities in conjunction with the various coping skills they have already put in place to compensate for their condition to bring about vast improvement in the quality of their lives, effectively turning their adversity into a strength.
