What’s your first thought when hearing the term “ADHD?” Many people go instantly to an image of a little boy with too much energy, bouncing off the walls – literally. While this picture does fit the mold, it’s only one piece of a more complex condition.
ADHD is not exclusive to males, and it’s often uniquely experienced by women. For women, ADHD looks nothing like a hyperactive ball of energy. It’s quieter and more internalized, making it something hard to pinpoint.
Diagnosis is more common in childhood, but women often go undiagnosed until adulthood. Years after silently struggling. So, what makes ADHD different for women?
The Invisible Struggle
Women generally struggle with the inattentive characteristics over the hyperactive ones. This means they often display fewer behavioral issues. Instead, you may see zoning out during conversations or meetings – that spaciness factor, difficulty with task completion – especially ones that are of little interest, chronic disorganization – think about frequently misplaced keys or phones, and a knack for procrastination.
Individually, these all may seem harmless, but when experienced repeatedly and in combination, they can be a burden. Symptoms often lead to guilt and self-doubt. Women also tend to internalize their struggles, chalking them up to being bad at adulting.
The reality is, ADHD brains are wired a bit differently.
The Art of Masking Symptoms
Despite all the strides forward, there’s still a lingering idea that women are supposed to be more organized, nurturing, and composed than their male counterparts. This expectation, to any degree, can conflict with how ADHD operates.
Over time, women learn how to cover up their symptoms, whether by making jokes to lighten them or by overcompensating in other areas. This ability to mask may make the day-to-day situations less troublesome, but it can delay getting a true diagnosis in the long run.
Instead, they’re more likely to present as anxiety or depression, which comes with its own treatment course. One that may not address the root of the ADHD at all.
Hormonal Influence
Hormones play an important role during all the big milestones for women. Whether it’s puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, hormones are involved. As hormones fluctuate, they can cause ADHD symptoms to worsen.
In addition to dealing with the challenges that come with these new chapters, ADHD adds the challenge of emotional dysregulation, disorganization, forgetfulness, time management difficulties, restlessness, anxiety, difficulty with decision making, and decreased self-esteem.
ADHD at Home and Work
ADHD can make routine household tasks feel overwhelming and much more exhausting than they should be. Juggling loads of laundry, paying bills, tidying the house, and preparing food can be a heavy burden.
In the workplace, women face obstacles in meeting deadlines, sustaining focus during meetings, and forgetting smaller tasks. Despite being highly intelligent and creative, they frequently struggle to succeed by “normal” standards.
Thinking back to that expectation of women, they’re also often expected to handle multiple roles without difficulty. They have to care for the household, take on caregiving roles for partners, children, and parents, and advance professionally.
The pressure can become debilitating, causing ADHD symptoms to further flare up. Before you know it, it becomes a vicious cycle.
Women with ADHD Are Not Broken — Nor Are You Alone
If these symptoms or daily challenges sound familiar, know that you are not alone. ADHD in women is real and usually very different than how it presents in males. With the right support, you can learn how to thrive in your environment.
Working through things with ADHD therapy can help you learn to understand your brain and embrace its differences. You can work to manage your symptoms and improve your self-esteem. Take your first step and schedule a consultation. You deserve clarity.
