Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms manifest differently from males. They may have more emotional instability or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual problems 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 remain focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or are so involved in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized, behind or irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly adept at hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may have developed strategies to cope with their difficulty in staying organized by using coping tools such as self-denial, relying on others, or even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse.
They might not even realize that they're having a problem until they start to realize that they have a problem. They might have a list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed their friends or colleagues, have to work hard to keep their apartments and homes tidy and clean, and feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they have to complete.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattention ADHD can affect almost every aspect of their life. They might miss out on social events and professional opportunities because they aren't invited, or fail to pay the bills or return friend's phone calls in a timely manner. They may be rushed through a test or not understand instructions in the workplace or commit a few blunders in their relationships with others. Eventually, they begin to think that they are lazy or stupid, and struggle with low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fumble in their seats, talk excessively, or be squirming. They also struggle to pay attentively to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted and bored by things which do not entice them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent or a lack of comprehension it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets appointments from time to time people with inattention ADHD tend to do it more often. This type 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 keys, wallets and school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They often struggle to hold a job and often start projects, but do not complete their work.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination, indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Stress, other mental health issues, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Due to this, your health care provider should conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They might ask your permission to talk to family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, and other individuals who know you well to find out about your current and past behavior and experiences. They could also administer psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath more difficult, especially when the situation is stressful. You might feel the need to get involved and tackle something even though you ought to take your time and plan your actions. This can lead to problems with schoolwork, work and relationships. You may also experience issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less apparent. They may conceal their problems behind appearances of being reliable, diligent and organized. This can give them the impression that they're in control and allow others to dismiss them easily as a problem child or a woman who is too emotional or a perfectionist. In the end, an undiagnosed lifetime of ADHD can do 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 they can hinder your ability function.
You might find it difficult to complete assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You might have trouble waiting in line, sitting still or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or performing household chores. You might prefer a different approach to the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, feelings of restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are usually not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD change as you age and are made worse by hormonal fluctuations such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and influences the way we live our lives. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they might feel guilt, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical symptom of people with ADHD or Autism however it can also occur in those without these conditions.
RSD can cause impulsive behavior and relationship problems. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which can limit their career and personal development. For some, it can even lead to an entire loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD can also cause and amplify core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can lead to problems with planning and organisation as well as being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. RSD can also lead to issues with focus and attention span. People suffering from RSD might ponder a slight over several hours or even for days.
add symptoms have discovered that people who suffer from RSD may have a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, which is responsible for the body's response to threats and is activated more than other individuals when they perceive rejection. 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 can 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 affect RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people with ADHD develop the disorder during the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always receive a diagnosis before the age of 12. Symptoms tend to persist into adulthood, though this means that women who have the disorder may have trouble at work or school at home, as well as in relationships. They may also suffer from depression, compulsive eating, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their issues by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in the way women and girls are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to notice hyperactive behavior in boys with ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to receive the support they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They can also be more likely to try to mask their symptoms using coping strategies that are typical for the gender they identify with, which may make it harder for others to realize that they have a problem.
For instance, women with ADHD might use lots of makeup or dress in a particular manner to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviours like drinking excessively or drug use, particularly in the adolescent years. They may not seek assistance until it's too late.