Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from males. They may have more emotional volatility, or have trouble controlling 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
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD for adults can include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, missing deadlines at work, and having trouble to stay focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget to count the minutes or become so absorbed in their work that they forget about time. This can result in feelings of being unorganized, behind, or irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly good in obscuring their symptoms, which can make it difficult for them to receive an diagnosis. They may have learned how to cope with their inability to stay organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on others and resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
In the end, their difficulties in focusing and organization can be ignored by other people until they realize their own problems. They might have a long list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed family members or colleagues, or struggle to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks on their plates.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattention ADHD will affect the entirety of their lives. They may be unable to participate in professional and social opportunities because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They could rush through a test or misunderstand the instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. At some point, they think that they are lazy or stupid, and struggle with low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively, or be squirming. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are saying. They often interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and tend to become bored by tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't due to a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding, but a biologically based abnormality in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than others. This kind of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses, as well as other items such as wallets, keys, school materials, sports equipment, etc. They have difficulty maintaining their jobs, and they often begin projects that never finish.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD say they feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true for those who have been suffering for a long time under the false assumption that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination, disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Stress, mental disorders and physical ailments can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. This is why a health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatments. They might ask your permission to talk to family members, coworkers and teachers to find out more about your past and present behavior. symptoms of adhd adult may also conduct psychological tests, such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath difficult particularly when the situation becomes stressful. You might feel compelled by ADHD to tackle a problem even though you should plan and take your time. This can lead to trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You may also have problems 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 might appear to being dependable and conscientious. This can create a false impression that they're in control and allow others to dismiss them easily as a troubled child or a woman who is too emotional or an over-achiever. In the end, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do 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 present at work and at home and interfere with your ability function.
It can be difficult to complete work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sitting down or staying focused while reading or working on your computer, or performing household chores. You like the novelty of the monotony of life and might find yourself avoiding tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, feelings of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD change with age and are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations like those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and affects many aspects of daily life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more emotional reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection than others. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they might be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a common characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism however it can also happen to those who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can cause uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which can limit their career and personal development. For some, it can even cause the complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to exacerbate and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can cause problems with organisation and planning and can lead to wasting time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span. People with RSD might ponder an incident for hours or even days.
Researchers have discovered that people suffering from RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, responsible for the body's threat response and is activated more than other people when they feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced childhood trauma which can have a long-lasting impact on their emotional growth. This makes them more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental illnesses like anxiety or depression.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the disorder during their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last into adulthood, though it is true that women who have the disorder can continue having difficulties at school or at work as well as at home and in relationships. They might also be suffering from anxiety, depression, or other addiction disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women's self esteem. They may blame themselves, believing they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in how girls and women who suffer from ADHD are viewed. Teachers and parents are more likely to notice excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to get the support they require.
Furthermore, girls with the condition are more likely to suffer from mood disorders and anxiety as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They may also try to conceal their symptoms by using strategies for 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.
For instance, women with ADHD might use lots of makeup or dress in a particular manner to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours like excessive drinking or drug use, particularly during adolescence. As a result, they may not seek the assistance they require until it's too late.