Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms manifest differently from men's. They might experience more emotional volatility, or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in turning your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattention ADHD may have difficulty keeping track of their appointments and household chores, miss deadlines at work and find it difficult to remain focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD patients often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or get so caught up in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being disorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are especially adept at showcasing their symptoms, which may make it difficult to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to make up for their inability to remain organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on other people and resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug use.
They might not even realize the issue until they start to realize it themselves. They might have a list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed friends or coworkers, struggle to keep their apartments and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they have to complete.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattentive ADHD will negatively impact nearly every aspect of their lives. They may miss out on social and professional opportunities because they were not invited. They might also not pay their bills on time or return phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They could rush through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They begin to think that they are stupid or lazy and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much or squirm. They also have difficulty paying attentively to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without considering the consequences. They are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli and tend to get bored with tasks that do not interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by a desire for defiance or a lack of comprehension it is a biological deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets about appointments occasionally people with inattentive ADHD do it far more frequently. This subtype of ADHD can also cause people to lose track important information, such as bills or work assignments. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses and other items like wallets, keys or school supplies and sports equipment. They are unable to maintain a job, and they often begin projects that never finish.
Many adults with ADHD feel better about themselves after their symptoms have been controlled. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time under the false assumption that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illness can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Because of this, a health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatment options. They might ask your permission to speak to your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your previous and current behavior. They could also conduct psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a breath, especially when you are stressed. You might feel compelled by ADHD to solve a problem even when you need to plan and be patient. adhd symptoms can lead to problems with schoolwork, work and relationships. You may also experience problems with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less apparent. They might hide their issues under the pretense of being a trustworthy, reliable and organized. This can create a false impression that they're in control and allow people to dismiss them as a troubled child, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. As a result, an undiagnosed lifetime of ADHD can cause 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 at work as well as at home, and can affect your ability function.
It can be difficult to complete work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have trouble standing in line or sitting still for long periods of time and find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a laptop or performing chores. You prefer novelty to the monotony of life and might find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off completing them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD are a part of anxiety, the feeling of restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are usually not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age and are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations like those that are experienced during menopausal pregnancy or menopausal menopausal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and can affect every aspect of life. People with rejection sensitivity have more intense reactions than others to social cues, which could be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they could be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. It is a common condition for those with ADHD and Autism however it may co-occur in those without these conditions too.
RSD can trigger impulsive behavior and relationship problems. It can also cause people to avoid risk-taking, limiting their personal and professional growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for certain. RSD can also exacerbate and amplify core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organisation, as well as wasting time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also lead to issues with attention and focus 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 the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, which is responsible for the body's response to threats, activates more than other individuals when they experience rejection. People who are sensitive to rejection may have also experienced trauma in their childhood that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment as they grow older. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from the disorder in their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before the age of 12. The symptoms are likely to last until the age of adulthood. This means that women with the disorder can be unable to cope with problems at work, school as well as in relationships. They can also experience anxiety, depression or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self-esteem. They might blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to be aware of hyperactive behavior in boys with ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Girls who suffer from the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They are also more likely to try to hide their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which may make it more difficult for others to realize that they are suffering from an issue.
Some women suffering from ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours such as drinking excessively or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. adhd symptoms may not seek assistance until it's too late.