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. For example, they may experience more emotional volatility or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in turning your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might have difficulty keeping on top of their schedules and household chores and can are late at work and find it difficult to remain focussed during meetings. It is also typical for people who suffer from inattentive ADHD to experience a concept known as "time blindness," meaning that they often forget the time or get so engulfed in their work that they forget the amount of time that has passed. This can result in feelings of being disorganized, behind, or irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly good at hiding their symptoms, which may make it difficult to get an assessment. They may have developed strategies to cope with their inability to stay organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying on others, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or substance abuse.
As a result, their issues with focus and organization may go unnoticed by others until they realize their own problems. They might have a list of embarrassing instances where they have embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes clean and organized and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
If untreated and not diagnosed, the signs of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on virtually every area of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social opportunities due to the fact that they weren't invited. Or, they might not pay their bills on time or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They may take a test too fast, misunderstand instructions at work, or make careless mistakes in their relationships with others. At some point, they believe that they are lazy or stupid, and struggle with low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much, or shake their heads. They also have difficulty paying attention to what others are saying and often interrupt them or make statements without considering the consequences. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that don't interest them. This behavior isn't due to a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding, but a biologically based imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets appointments at times people with inattentive ADHD do it far more often. This kind of ADHD can also cause people to lose track important information such as bills or work assignments. They frequently lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment or school supplies. They often struggle to hold their jobs and often begin projects, but don't complete the work.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for years into believing that they are incompetent or lazy because of their procrastination and disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illness can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. A healthcare professional will need to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine the source of the symptoms and to determine the most effective treatment. They may ask you to speak with family members, friends, coworkers and teachers, as well as other individuals who know you well to find out about your present and previous behaviour and experiences. They could also administer psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath difficult, especially when the situation becomes stressful. You may feel compelled by ADHD to tackle a problem, even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This can lead to issues at work, at school, or in your 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 are less apparent. They can appear to being trustworthy and diligent. This can create a false impression that they're in control, and permit others to dismiss them as a problem child, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD throughout your life can cause a lot of damage to 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 should be present at work as well as at home, and can affect your ability function.
You might have a hard working through school or work tasks, and you may appear unfocused and unorganized. You have trouble waiting in lines or sitting still for long periods of time and are unable to stay focused when reading, working on a computer or performing chores. You like the novelty of the monotony of life and might find yourself skipping tasks or putting off doing them. Although ADHD shares some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD change with age and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and influences the way we live our lives. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they could feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism however it can also happen to those without these conditions.
RSD can lead to a lack of personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. female adhd symptoms can also make people avoid taking risks, which could restrict their career and personal development. It can lead to depression and self-esteem issues in some. RSD can also cause and amplify the core ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can lead to problems with planning and organization and also spending time on tasks that are not important. It can also cause difficulties focusing and attention span, and those with RSD are prone to contemplating a small issue for days or hours.
Research suggests that people with RSD might have a brain impairment that affects the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, responsible for the body's threat response is more active than other people when they experience rejection. It is also believed that those who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced trauma in their childhood which could have lasting impacts on their emotional development. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection, 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
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is almost always diagnosed before the age of 12. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood it is true that women who have the disorder can continue having trouble at work or school, at home, and in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their problems by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in the way girls and women are viewed when they display ADHD symptoms. Boys who suffer from the condition generally exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls who have those same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or being anxious. This makes it more difficult for them to receive the assistance they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also try to conceal their symptoms by using methods of coping that are more typical for the gender that they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering from a disorder.
Some women suffering from ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way in order to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior like drinking excessively or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent years. As a result, they might not seek out the help that they need until it is too late.