Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD are not diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms manifest differently from men's. For instance, they could experience more emotional volatility or have a harder time regulating their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty keeping on top of their household chores and appointments and may have trouble meeting deadlines at work, and struggle to stay focussed during meetings. It is also typical for people with inattentive 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 forget how long it has taken. This can cause feelings of being unorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are especially adept in obscuring their symptoms, which may make it harder to get a diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their trouble staying well-organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial, relying on others, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse.
In the end, their issues in focusing and organization can be ignored by others until they start to notice their own issues. They might have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartments and homes neat and tidy and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
When undiagnosed and untreated the symptoms of inattention ADHD can cause havoc in all aspects of their lives. They might be left out of occasions for professional or social gatherings since they're not invited or fail to pay bills or answer phone calls from friends promptly. They might rush through a test or misunderstand instructions at work, or make careless errors in their personal relationships. They start to believe that they are stupid or lazy and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD might fidget, squirm in their seats, or talk too much. They also have trouble paying attention to what others are saying and often interrupt or make statements without considering the consequences. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by an urge to defy or a lack of understanding it is a biological deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time those with inattention ADHD are more likely to do this often. This type of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses, keys, sports equipment, or school supplies. They are often unable to keep their jobs, and they often start projects that never finish.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly applicable if the person had been misled for years into believing that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination or disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders and physical ailments can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Due to this, a health care provider must do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify effective treatments. adult add symptoms may request your consent to speak with your family members, colleagues and teachers to learn more about your past and current behavior. They may also conduct psychological tests, such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it hard to stop and take a breath, especially when things get stressful. You may feel compelled to take action and tackle a problem even though you ought to be patient and plan your actions. This type of impulsivity can cause problems with schoolwork, work, and relationships. There are also issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women often have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less obvious. They might appear to being trustworthy and diligent. This could give them a false sense that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them as a child with a problem or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or a perfectionist. As a result, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do severe 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 should be present at work and at home, and they can hinder your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to complete homework or school assignments, and look disorganized and forgetful. You might have trouble waiting in line, sitting down, or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or performing household chores. You are drawn to novelty over the daily grind and may be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. Although ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD change as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and influences every aspect of life. People who are sensitive to rejection have 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 feel shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism however it can also occur in those without these conditions.
RSD can cause an inability to set personal boundaries, which can lead to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid risk-taking, which may limit their career and personal growth. It can also cause depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to intensify and intensify core ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organization and also spending time on tasks that are not important. It can also cause difficulties focusing and attention span, and people with RSD can get stuck thinking about a minor issue for hours or days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD may suffer from brain impairments in the processing of emotional information. This could be because the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's threat response is more active than other individuals when they perceive rejection. It's also thought that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have suffered from childhood trauma that can have permanent effects on their emotional development. They may be more prone to rejection, criticism, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always receive a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms tend to persist throughout adulthood. This means that women with the disorder may continue to have problems at work, school, home and in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating disorders, or other addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their issues because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women with ADHD are viewed. Parents and teachers are more likely to be aware of hyperactive behavior in boys with ADHD, while girls may be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Additionally, female symptoms of adhd with the disorder are more likely experience anxiety and other mood disorders as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They may also attempt to hide their symptoms using coping techniques that are more prevalent for the gender they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they are suffering.
Some women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviours such as drinking excessively or drug use, especially during the adolescent years. As a result, they may not seek the help that they need until it is too late.