Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are misdiagnosed or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from men's. For example, they may have more emotional instability or have a harder time managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to concentrate during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or become so absorbed in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are able in hiding their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their difficulty in staying organized by using coping tools such as self-denial, relying on others, or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
They might not even realize that they have a problem until they start to realize that they have a problem. They may have a long list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed friends or coworkers, have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized, and feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks they have to accomplish.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a negative impact on almost every aspect of their life. They might miss out on social and professional events because they were not invited. Or, they might not be able to pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends promptly. They could take a test too fast or fail to follow instructions at work, or make naive mistakes in their personal relationships. They start to believe that they are incompetent or lazy and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively, or squirm. They have difficulty paying attention to what others are talking about. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. The behavior is not caused by a desire for being aggressive or 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 others. This type of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information like bills or work assignments. They often lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They are often unable to keep an occupation, and often start projects that never get finished.
Many people suffering from ADHD feel better about themselves after their symptoms have been managed. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination, disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Stress, other mental health issues, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. This is why a health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend effective treatments. They may ask you to speak with family members, friends, coworkers and teachers, as well as other individuals who know you well to learn about your present and previous behavior and experiences. They may also administer psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it hard to take a breath, especially when things are stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to solve a problem even though you should plan and slow down. This type of impulsivity can cause trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You may also experience problems with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women typically have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less obvious. They might hide behind the appearance of being conscientious and dependable. This could create a false impression that they are in control and allows others to dismiss them easily as a problem child or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or a perfectionist. In the end, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can cause severe 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 affect your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to finish assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time standing in line or staying still for long periods of time. You have trouble staying focused while reading or working on a computer or working on chores. You like the novelty of the monotony of life and might find yourself skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and influences many aspects of daily life. People who are sensitive to rejection have more aggressive reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they might be afflicted with shame, low self esteem, and emotional dysregulation. It is a common condition for those with ADHD and Autism however, it can co-occur in those without these conditions as well.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, which can lead to impulsive behaviors and difficulties managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which can restrict their personal and professional growth. For some, it can even lead to the complete loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD can also intensify and amplify the primary ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can lead to problems with planning and organization and also being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. It can also cause difficulties focus and attention span and those suffering from RSD may be stuck ruminating on a slight for days or hours.
Researchers have discovered that those who suffer from RSD may have a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats is more active than other people when they feel rejected. People with rejection sensitivity may also have experienced trauma from childhood that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment in adulthood. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring like depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms tend to persist well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder might be unable to cope with problems at work, school at home, and in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or other addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on women's self-esteem and they can blame themselves for their problems because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in the way that girls and women are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Boys with the condition typically display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls who have those same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or hyperactive. This makes it harder for them to receive the assistance they require.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders and anxiety as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They can also be more likely to to mask their symptoms using coping strategies that are typical for the gender they identify with, which may make it harder for others to see they have a problem.
For instance, women with ADHD might wear a lot of makeup or dress in a certain manner to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviours such as excessive alcohol or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. adult adhd symptom means that they might not seek out the assistance they require until it's too late.