Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who have ADHD are misdiagnosed, or go undiagnosed, because their symptoms differ from men's. They may have more emotional volatility, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD in adults may include having trouble keeping the track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to stay focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD patients often experience "time blindness," which is when they forget to count the minutes or get so caught up in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly adept in hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. They may have learned how to make up for their inability to stay organized by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
In the end, their struggles with organization and focus can be overlooked by others until they finally begin to recognize their own issues. They may have a long list of embarrassing incidents in which they've embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may also struggle to keep their homes and homes clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
When undiagnosed and untreated the symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on all aspects of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social opportunities because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return friends' phone calls promptly. They could rush through a test, misunderstand instructions at work, or make naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They start to believe that they are incompetent or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People who suffer from hyperactive ADHD may fidget, squirm in their seat, and talk a lot. They also have difficulty paying close attention to what others are saying and often interrupt or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding and is due to a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
Those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than other people. People who suffer from this type of ADHD also have a tendency to lose all important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses keys, sports equipment, or school supplies. They often struggle to hold a job and often start projects, but do not complete their work.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD say they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially applicable if the person had been misled for a number of years into thinking they are irresponsible or lazy because of their procrastination and disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders and physical illness can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Because of this, a health care provider must do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatment options. They may ask you to talk to family members, friends, coworkers and teachers as well as others who know you well to find out about your current and past behaviour and experiences. They could also conduct psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it hard to take a breath, particularly when things are stressful. You might be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem even when you need to plan and slow down. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or with relationships. You may also have problems with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms tend to be less obvious. They might hide their issues under the pretense of being a reliable, diligent and organized. This can give them a false sense that they are in control and allows people to dismiss them as a problem child, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over the course of a lifetime could severely damage your self-esteem.
If you have the inattentive-type subtype of ADHD, you experience at least five ongoing symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These symptoms must be evident in two different environments, like at home and at work, and interfere with your ability to function.
It can be difficult to finish homework or school assignments, and look disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in lines or sitting still for long periods of time and are unable to stay focused when reading or working on a laptop, or doing chores. You prefer novelty to the routine and could find yourself skipping tasks or putting off doing them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD are a part of anxiety, feelings of anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, and can be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affects every aspect of life. People who are sensitive to rejection have more intense reactions than others to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. They may experience feelings of shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, either real or perceived. female adhd symptoms is a common symptom of people with ADHD or Autism however it may also be present in people who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can trigger an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could limit their career and personal development. For some, it could even lead to a complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to intensify and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can cause problems with organisation and planning, as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also result in difficulties focusing and attention span, and people with RSD may be stuck ruminating on a slight for days or hours.
Researchers have found that people who suffer from RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be due to the fact that the amygdala (which is responsible for the body's threat response) activates more when people feel rejected. It's also thought that people with rejection sensitivity might have suffered from childhood trauma, which can leave permanent effects on their emotional development. This could make people more sensitive to rejection, criticism, and abandonment in adulthood. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring such as depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people suffering from ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always receive a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms tend to persist until the age of adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder can continue to have problems at school, work as well as in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women's self-esteem. They may be tempted to blame themselves, believing that they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in the way that girls and women with ADHD are perceived. The majority of boys with ADHD display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to spot, whereas girls with the same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or anxious. This makes it more difficult for them to receive the help that they need.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also attempt to hide their symptoms using coping techniques that are more typical for the gender they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they have a problem.
Women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a particular manner to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during the adolescent years. This means that they may not seek the help they require until it is too late.