Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms differ from men's. They may have more emotional instability, or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might have trouble keeping the track of their appointments and household chores and may miss deadlines at work and have trouble staying focussed during meetings. Inattentional ADHD patients often experience "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 cause feelings of being unorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD can be particularly adept at hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. They may have learned how to compensate for their inability to keep track of things through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
They may not even notice that they're having a problem until they realize it for themselves. They may have a long list of embarrassing instances where they have embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartment and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattentive ADHD will negatively impact the entirety of their life. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return phone calls from friends promptly. They may rush through a test or misunderstand instructions at work, or make careless errors in their relationships with others. In the end, they start to believe they are incompetent or foolish, and struggle with low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk too much, or squirm. They aren't able to pay attention to what others are talking about. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't consider. They are easily distracted by other things and are likely to become bored with tasks that do not interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent or a lack of understanding and is more likely a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than other people. People with this type of ADHD also tend to lose all important information, such as work or bills. They often lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects but never complete their work.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time with the false assumption that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination, disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Stress, mental health issues, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. Because of this, a health care provider must do a thorough evaluation to determine the source of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. They may ask you to talk to family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, and others who know you well to get information about your present and previous behaviors and experiences. They could also administer psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it hard to take a deep breath, especially when things are stressful. You may feel compelled by ADHD to solve a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This can lead to issues at work, at school, or in relationships. You might also have issues 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 can appear to being trustworthy and diligent. This could give them the impression that they are in control, and permit people to dismiss them as a child with a problem or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or an over-achiever. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of ADHD can do serious 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 must be present in two different settings such as at home and work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to finish work or school assignments and seem unorganized and forgetful. You have difficulty waiting in lines or staying still for long periods of time. You find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a laptop, or doing chores. signs of attention deficit disorder in adults prefer novelty to the monotony of life and might find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off doing them. While ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is an illness of the mind that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and impact many aspects of life. People who are sensitive to rejection have more extreme reactions than other people to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they could feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. It is a typical condition for those with ADHD and Autism however it may co-occur in those without these conditions as well.
RSD can cause uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, limiting their career and personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to exacerbate and intensify core ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation, as well as wasting time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span. People with RSD might be prone to ruminating on the slightest thing for several hours or even for days.
Research suggests that people with RSD may 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. It is also believed that those with rejection sensitivity might have experienced trauma in their childhood which could have lasting effects on their emotional development. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection and abandonment in the adult years. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood it is true that women who have the disorder may have trouble at work or school, at home, and in relationships. They can also struggle with anxiety, depression or other substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on women's self-esteem. They may blame themselves, believing they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in the way girls and women are viewed when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to be aware of excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely experience anxiety and other mood disorders than those who suffer from the condition. They may also try to hide their symptoms using coping techniques that are more prevalent for the gender that they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering.
For instance, women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a certain way so that they don't notice their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior such as drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. As a result, they might not seek out the assistance they require until it is too late.