Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms manifest differently than males. They may have more emotional volatility, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make a huge difference in turning your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattention ADHD may have difficulty keeping on top of their schedules and household chores and can are late at work and have trouble staying focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or become so absorbed in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being unorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD can be particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may have learned how to compensate for their inability to remain organized through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on other people and resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
In the end, their issues with focus and organization may go unnoticed by others until they finally start to notice their own issues. They might have a list of embarrassing incidents in which they've embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may 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 inattention ADHD can have a negative impact on the entirety of their life. They may miss out on professional and social events because they aren't invited, or fail to pay their bills or return friend's phone calls in a timely manner. They may rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work or commit a few blunders in their relationships. In the end, they start to believe that they are incompetent or foolish and suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk too much, or shake their heads. They also have difficulty paying close attention to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without considering their consequences. They are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli and have a tendency to become bored by tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't due to the desire to be defiant or a lack of comprehension and is due to a biological deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than others. People with this type of ADHD also tend to lose all important information, like work or bills. They often forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other items like wallets, keys and school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They often have difficulty keeping their jobs and often begin projects but never finish their work.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly applicable if the person had been misled for a long time to believe that they are irresponsible or lazy because of their procrastination and disorganization.
Mental disorders, stress, and physical illness can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. This is why the health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend the most effective treatments. They might ask your permission to talk to your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your previous and current behavior. They might also conduct psychological tests like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it hard to stop and take a breath, particularly when things are stressful. You may feel compelled by your ADHD to solve a problem even when you need to plan and slow down. This type of impulsivity can cause trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You might also have issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less apparent. They might hide their issues by presenting themselves as trustworthy, reliable, and well-organized. This can give an illusion of security, and make it easier for others to view them as a problem-child, overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD throughout your life can severely damage 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 as well as at home and interfere with your ability function.
It can be difficult to finish work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in lines or sat for long periods of time and are unable to stay focused when reading or working on a laptop, or doing chores. You may prefer novelty over the monotony of your day and may delay or skip tasks in order to avoid them. Although ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders such as restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness aren't typically present. The symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes such as during pregnancy and menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and can affect many aspects of daily life. People with rejection sensitivity feel more acute reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection compared to others. When they are faced with rejection, whether it is 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, but it can occur in people who do not have these conditions as well.
RSD can cause an inability to set personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which could restrict their personal and professional growth. For some, it can even cause an entire loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to intensify and amplify the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can lead to problems in planning and organisation and also spending time on tasks that are not important. It can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span, and those with RSD can get stuck ruminating on a slight for hours or days.
Research suggests that people suffering from RSD might suffer from brain impairments 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 experience rejection. adults with adhd symptoms is also believed that those who are sensitive to rejection may have experienced childhood trauma, which can leave lasting impacts on their emotional development. They may be more sensitive to rejection, criticism, and abandonment in the adult years. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people with ADHD develop the disorder during the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always receive a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood. This means that women with the disorder might continue to have problems at school, work at home, and in relationships. They can also experience depression, compulsive eating, or substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on women's self esteem. They might blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in how girls and women who suffer from ADHD are perceived. Boys with the condition typically display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to spot, whereas girls who have those same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or hyperactive. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Furthermore, girls with the disorder are more likely be afflicted by anxiety and other mood disorders as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They can also be more likely to to hide their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which may make it difficult for others to recognize that they have an issue.
For instance, women with ADHD might wear a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to avoid noticing their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviours such as drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. They might not seek help until it's too late.