ADHD Symptoms in Women
If you’re like me, you may not have realized you had symptoms of ADHD until you were in your thirties, or even later. Many women have been excluded from the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in children, as studies primarily focused on the behaviors of elementary school-aged boys. Those of us who didn’t demonstrate hyperactive behaviours may have had just as challenging a time with focus, but this often went unnoticed as many of our symptoms were internalized.
Common Symptoms Women May Experience
Women more commonly fall into the category of Inattentive type ADHD, which is characterized by behaviours such as:
Making careless mistakes
Trouble organizing activities or tasks
Being easily distracted
Forgetfulness
Women are also more likely to experience hypersensitivity. This can include sensory overload, or a high level of sensitivity to sounds, textures, or smells. Their nervous systems are significantly impacted, and as a result, they may experience somatic complaints like headaches, stomach aches, nausea or migraines. Women are also more likely to experience sleep difficulties.
Is It ADHD or Something Else?
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with another mental health condition before discovering they have ADHD. They are also more likely to experience ADHD in conjunction with another diagnosis like anxiety, dysregulated eating or a mood disorder. In fact, some of the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications also help regulate cravings and can mitigate the impacts of binge eating disorder.
Societal Expectations
Women tend to internalize symptoms, which can cause anxiety and often affects their mood. Women are socialized from a young age to be the organizers of their homes and often learn to mask their symptoms to meet social expectations. This can result in feelings of shame and self-blame. It also results in a high number of women being misdiagnosed with other disorders, as they mask their symptoms so well that medical professionals do not have the experience needed to decipher what is actually going on. Often, women are surprised to learn that what they had determined was a moral failure on their part has an explanation related to their brain function. This can lead to an increase in rejection sensitive dysphoria.
The Impact of Hormones on ADHD
The ADHD symptoms women experience are also more significantly impacted by fluctuations in hormones. Specifically, during the second half of their cycle as estrogen levels decrease, many women experience an increase in ADHD symptoms or notice their medication becomes less effective. Hormonal changes can also cause misdiagnosis, as they can lead to women being labeled as emotionally volatile, anxious, or moody. Because of this hormonal impact, symptoms can shift during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, and treatment may need to be adjusted accordingly.
How Can I Tell if I Have ADHD?
You might be curious to understand if what you have been navigating are actually signs of ADHD. This assessment is catered towards the experiences of adult women and can be helpful in putting your symptoms in context. If, after completing the self-assessment, you suspect you may have ADHD, you can initiate a discussion with your doctor. There are also private clinics that offer assessments and have a higher familiarity with how ADHD presents in women, providing a more supportive environment. Two options in BC are:
Talk with Frida: Complete an online assessment and book an evaluation with a medical profession that can be completed online. This service has a one time fee of $599.
West Coast Adult ADHD: Book a virtual appointment to receive an assessment. The cost of the assessment is $399. If you proceed with a treatment plan, you will be charged an additional $79.
In BC, to receive a diagnosis, you must be assessed by a medical professional who specializes in ADHD, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner, or medical doctor. Unfortunately, at this time, Registered Clinical Counsellors cannot complete an assessment.
