Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms are different from males. For example, they may have more emotional instability or have a harder time controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to remain focused during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers often experience "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or become so absorbed in their work that they lose track of time. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who have inattention ADHD are able in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive an assessment. They may have learned how to cope with their inability to keep track of things by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
This is why their issues with organization and focus can be ignored by others until they finally begin to recognize their own issues. They might have a long list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed family members or coworkers, have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the number of work they have to complete.
When undiagnosed and untreated the symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on all aspects of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social opportunities due to the fact that they weren't invited. Or, they might not be able to pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends promptly. They may be rushed through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work or make a mistake in their personal relationships. They begin to think that they are lazy or stupid, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much or be squirming. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are talking about. They often interrupt or make statements they don't think through. They are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli and have a tendency to become bored by tasks that do not interest them. The behavior is not caused by a desire for being defiant or a lack of understanding and is more likely a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
add symptoms in women who have inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than other people. People with this type of ADHD also tend to lose the track of important information, like work or bills. They often lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment and/or school materials. They are often unable to keep their jobs and often begin projects but never complete their work.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false impression that they are incompetent or lazy because of their procrastination disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, mental health disorders, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. A doctor will require an exhaustive examination to identify the cause of the symptoms and then determine the most effective treatment. adhd symptoms for women may ask for your consent to speak with your family members, colleagues and teachers to find out more about your previous and current behavior. They may also conduct psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath a challenge particularly when the situation is stressful. You may feel compelled by ADHD to tackle a problem even though you should plan and take your time. This impulsivity can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms tend to be less apparent. They may appear to being conscientious and dependable. This can create an illusion of security and make it easier for others to dismiss them as a troublemaker, emotionally overly sensitive or a perfectionist. This can lead to a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do 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 at work and at home, and they can hinder your ability function.
It can be difficult to complete work or school assignments and seem unorganized and forgetful. You have trouble waiting in lines 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 routine and could be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD are a part of anxiety, feelings of restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes such as during pregnancy and menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more emotional reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection, compared to other people. They may experience feelings of shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, either real or perceived. 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 a lack of personal boundaries, which can lead to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could restrict their career and personal development. For some, it could even cause a complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to cause and increase the severity of the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation, as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. RSD can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span. People with RSD may ruminate on the slightest thing for several hours or even for days.
Researchers have discovered that people suffering from RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's threat response, activates more than other people when they feel rejected. People who are sensitive to rejection may also have experienced trauma from childhood which can have a long-lasting influence on their emotional development. This could make people more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment when they are adults. Mental health disorders that co-occur like depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by impacting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood. It is almost always diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms are likely to last throughout adulthood. This means that women with the disorder may be unable to cope with problems at school, at work, home and in relationships. They may also be struggling with anxiety, depression or other substance use disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their troubles because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in the way women and girls are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to notice excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, while girls may be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to get the assistance they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also try to conceal their symptoms with methods of coping that are more common for the gender that they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering.
Some women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. adhd symptoms may also engage in risky behaviours such as excessive drinking or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent stage. They may not seek help until it's too late.