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 are different from men's. They might experience more emotional instability, 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 challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might have difficulty keeping the track of their appointments and household chores, miss deadlines at work and struggle to stay focussed during meetings. It is also common for those who suffer from inattention ADHD to experience a condition called "time blindness," meaning that they frequently forget the time or get so caught up in their task that they lose track of how much time has passed. This can cause feelings of being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are particularly adept at hiding their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to overcome their difficulty in staying well-organized by employing coping strategies like self-denial, relying on others, or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive drinking or drug abuse.
They may not even notice the issue until they begin to recognize it for themselves. They might have a list of embarrassing incidents in which they embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They may also be struggling to keep their homes and homes clean and organized and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattention ADHD will have a negative impact on the entirety of their lives. They might be left out of social events and professional opportunities because they aren't invited, or fail to pay bills or return friend's phone calls promptly. They might rush through a test or not understand instructions at work or commit a few blunders in their relationships with others. They start to believe that they are incompetent or lazy, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fumble in their seats, talk excessively, or shake their heads. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are saying. They often interrupt or make statements they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to become bored by tasks that don't interest them. The behavior is not caused by a desire to be defiant or a lack of comprehension and is more likely 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 misplace keys than other. This subtype of ADHD can also cause people to lose track important information such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other things like wallets, keys, school materials, sports equipment, etc. They have difficulty maintaining an occupation, and often begin projects that never get finished.
Many people with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true for those who have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are unreliable or lazy due to their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, other mental health issues, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Due to this, your health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend effective treatments. They might ask your consent to speak with your family members, colleagues and teachers to find out more about your past and present behavior. They could also administer psychological tests, such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a deep breath, especially when things get stressful. adhd in adults signs might feel the need to take action and tackle a problem even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This type of impulsivity can cause difficulties with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You may also have problems with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women typically have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADHD than men, as their symptoms are less obvious. They may hide their difficulties by presenting themselves as conscientious, dependable and well-organized. This could give them a false sense 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. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of 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 must be present in two different environments, such as at home and work and can affect your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to finish assignments or work and look disorganized and forgetful. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sitting down, or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You prefer novelty to the routine and could find yourself skipping tasks or putting off completing them. Although ADHD shares some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes like during pregnancy and menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of everyday life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more emotional reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection, compared to other people. They may feel anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. This is a typical characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism, but may also be present in people who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can lead to an inability to set 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 as well as personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues in some. RSD is also known to exacerbate and intensify the core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organization, as well wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also result in difficulties in focusing and attention span, and those suffering from RSD are prone to contemplating a small issue for hours or days.
Researchers have discovered that people suffering from RSD might have a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be because the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats, activates more than other individuals when they perceive rejection. It's also thought that people who are sensitive to rejection may have experienced childhood trauma, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. This could make people more sensitive to rejection, criticism, and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It's almost always diagnosed before the age of 12. The symptoms tend to last until adulthood this means that women with the disorder may have trouble at work or school, at home, and in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive eating or other substance use disorders. adhd in adults signs of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem and confidence and they can blame themselves for their issues because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a part in how girls and women are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are 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 difficult for them to get the support they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also attempt to conceal their symptoms by using strategies for coping that are more typical for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to see that they have a problem.
Women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior like drinking excessively or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent stage. This means that they may not seek the help that they need until it is too late.