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 experience more emotional volatility, or a hard time controlling their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
The signs of inattention ADHD for adults can include difficulty keeping the track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to stay focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD patients often 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 result in feelings of being unorganized, behind, or irresponsible.
Women who have inattention ADHD can be particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive an assessment. They may have learned to overcome their inability to stay well-organized by employing coping strategies like self-denial, relying upon others, or even resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
They may not even notice that they have a problem until they start to realize that they have a problem. They might have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartment and homes tidy and clean and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
When undiagnosed and untreated, the signs of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on the entirety of their lives. They might be left out of social events and professional opportunities since they're not invited or fail to pay their bills or return friend's phone calls promptly. They might rush through a test or misunderstand instructions in the workplace or make a mistake in their personal relationships. They start to believe that they are incompetent or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can fidget, shake their seat, and talk excessively. They have difficulty paying attention to what others are saying. They often interrupt or make statements they don't think through. They are easily distracted by extraneous things and are likely to get bored with tasks that don't 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 misplace keys than others. People with this type of ADHD also have a tendency to lose track of important information, such as work or bills. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other items such as keys, wallets and school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects but never complete their work.
Many people with ADHD feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true for those who have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. Because of this, the health professional must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatments. They may request your permission to talk with family members, friends, coworkers and teachers, as well as others who know you well to find out about your current and past behavior and experiences. They could also conduct psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath a challenge, especially when the situation becomes stressful. You might feel the need to get involved and tackle something even though you ought to be patient and plan your actions. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or in your relationships. You might also have issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less apparent. They may conceal their problems by presenting themselves as reliable, diligent and organized. This can create a false impression that they are in control, and permit others to dismiss them easily as a problem child or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or a perfectionist. Undiagnosed ADHD over the course of a lifetime could seriously 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 must be evident in two different settings, like at home and at work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You may have a difficult time following through with school or work-related tasks and are often seen as unorganized and disorganized. You may have difficulty waiting in line, sitting still, or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or doing household chores. You prefer novelty to the monotony of life and might find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off completing them. While ADHD shares some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders such as restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age and are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affects the way we live our lives. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more aggressive reactions than other people to social cues, which could be perceived as rejection. When they are faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they might be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. It is a typical sign for people suffering from ADHD and Autism however it may occur in people who do not have these conditions too.
RSD can cause an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which could limit their personal and professional growth. For some, it may 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, like time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organization, as well spending time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also lead to issues with attention and focus span. People suffering from RSD might be prone to ruminating on a slight over hours or even days.
Research suggests that people with RSD may have a brain impairment that affects the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the fact that the amygdala (which is responsible for the body's threat response) is activated more frequently when people experience rejection. People who are sensitive to rejection may also have experienced trauma from childhood that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. This could make them more prone to rejection, criticism and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from the disorder in the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. The symptoms can last until adulthood this means that women who have the disorder may continue to have trouble at work or school at home, as well as in relationships. They may also suffer from depression, compulsive eating disorders, or addiction disorders. symptoms of adhd adult can affect women's self-esteem. They might blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias can play a role in how girls and women who suffer from ADHD are viewed. Parents and teachers are more likely to observe the hyperactivity of boys with ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the condition are more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders than boys with the condition. They might also attempt to conceal their symptoms by using coping techniques that are more common for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to recognize 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 behavior such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. As a result, they may not seek the assistance they require until it's too late.