Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from males. For instance, they might experience more emotional volatility or have trouble regulating their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make a huge difference in turning your individual challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD in adults may include having trouble keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, missing deadlines at work, and having trouble to concentrate during meetings. Inattentive ADHD patients often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or get so caught up in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized, behind, or irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly adept in hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their difficulty in staying organized by using coping tools like self-denial, relying upon others, or even resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
They may not even be aware that they have a problem until they begin to recognize it themselves. They might have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes clean and organized and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattentive ADHD can negatively impact nearly every aspect of their lives. They might miss out on social and professional opportunities due to the fact that they weren't invited. They might also not be able to pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They might take a test too fast, misunderstand instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They begin to think that they are stupid or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much, or be squirming. They also struggle to pay close attention to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to become bored by things that don't appeal to them. The behavior is not caused by a desire to be insolent or a lack of comprehension it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
Those who have inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than other. People who suffer from this type of ADHD also have a tendency to lose the track of important information, such as work or bills. They frequently lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They are often unable to keep an occupation and often start projects but never finish their work.
Many people with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms have been controlled. This is especially true if the person has been misled for a number of years to believe that they are lazy or irresponsible because of their procrastination and indecisiveness.
Stress, mental health issues, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Due to this, a health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They may request your consent to speak with family members, coworkers and teachers to find out more about your past and present behavior. symptoms of add in adults might also conduct psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to take a breath, especially when things get stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem, even when you need to plan and take your time. This can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, work and relationships. You might also be struggling with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less apparent. They may hide their difficulties behind appearances of being conscientious, dependable and organized. This can give an illusion of security and make it easier for others to view them as a problem-child, emotionally overly sensitive or a perfectionist. As a result, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can cause significant 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 evident in two different settings, such as work and home, and interfere with your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to complete homework or school assignments, and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have trouble waiting in line or sitting still for long periods of time and find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a computer or working on chores. signs and symptoms of adhd in adults like the novelty of the monotony of life and might be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, the feeling of frustration, restlessness, and forgetfulness are typically not seen in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and prenatal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and can affect many aspects of daily life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more aggressive reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they might feel shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism, but can also occur in those without these conditions.
RSD can cause a lack of personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behaviors and difficulties managing relationships. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, limiting their career and personal growth. It can lead to depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD can also cause and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can lead to issues with planning and organisation as well as the inability to focus time on tasks that are not important. It can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span, and people with RSD can get stuck thinking about a minor issue for hours or even days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD might have a brain impairment in the processing of 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. People with rejection sensitivity may also have experienced childhood trauma that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection and abandonment in the adult years. Mental health disorders that co-occur such as depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people with ADHD develop the condition during their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood, which means that women with the disorder may continue to have problems at school or at work as well as at home and in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on self-esteem and confidence and they could blame themselves for their problems by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a part in the way that girls and women are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Boys with the condition typically exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for parents and teachers to spot, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or hyperactive. This makes it difficult for them to get the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls with the disorder are more likely to experience anxiety and other mood disorders than those who suffer from the condition. They may also try to hide their symptoms using strategies for coping that are more typical for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are suffering from a disorder.
Some women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior like drinking excessively or use of drugs, especially in the adolescent years. As a result, they might not seek out the assistance they require until it is too late.