Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from those of men. They may experience more emotional instability or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in turning your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may have difficulty keeping on top of their appointments and household chores, miss deadlines at work and find it difficult to remain focussed during meetings. It's also common for people who suffer from inattentive ADHD to experience a concept known as "time blindness," meaning that they often forget the time or get so engulfed in their task that they forget how much time has passed. This can cause feelings like being disorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to get an assessment. They may have learned how to compensate for their inability to keep track of things by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on others, and even resorting unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
They might not even realize that they have a problem until they begin to recognize it for themselves. They might have a list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed family members or colleagues, or have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized, and feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they have to complete.
If untreated and not diagnosed, the symptoms of inattentive ADHD can wreak havoc on virtually every area of their lives. They may miss out on social events and professional opportunities because they aren't invited, or fail to pay their bills or return friend's phone calls promptly. They may be rushed through a test, or fail to follow instructions in the workplace or make a mistake in their personal relationships. At some point, they believe that they are incompetent or foolish and suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People who suffer from hyperactive ADHD can be prone to fidget, squirming in their seat, and talk too much. They have difficulty paying attention to what other people are saying. adult adhd symptoms interrupt or make statements they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted and bored by tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't triggered 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).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time, those who have inattentive ADHD do it far more often. This type of ADHD can cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose their wallets, eyeglasses keys, sports equipment, or school supplies. They often have difficulty keeping their jobs and often begin projects, but don't finish their work.
Many people suffering from ADHD feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms have been controlled. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for a number of years into believing that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination or indecisiveness.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical ailments can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. This is why the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. They may request your permission to talk with family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and others who know you well to learn about your current and past behaviour and experiences. They may 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 difficult especially when the situation is stressful. You may feel compelled to get involved and tackle something even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or in relationships. You might also be struggling with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men, as their symptoms aren't as obvious. They may hide their difficulties by presenting themselves as trustworthy, reliable and well-organized. This can give a false sense of security and make it easier for others to view them as a troublemaker, excessively emotional, or a perfectionist. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of 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 function.
You may have a difficult to complete school or work tasks and often appear forgetful and unorganized. You have a hard time waiting in lines or sitting still for long periods of time and have trouble staying focused while reading or working on a computer or working on chores. You prefer novelty to the monotony of life and might be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While ADHD shares some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness aren't typically present. The symptoms of ADHD vary as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like menopausal and prenatal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more acute reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection than other people. When they are faced with rejection - whether real or perceived - they may be afflicted with shame, low self esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a common characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism however it may also be present in people 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 make people avoid taking risks, limiting their career as well as personal growth. It can lead to depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to cause and amplify the core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organization, as well wasting time on unimportant tasks. adult add symptoms can also cause issues with focus and attention span. People with RSD may ruminate on an incident for several hours or even for days.
Research suggests that people with RSD may have a brain impairment 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) is activated more frequently when people perceive rejection. People who are sensitive to rejection may also have experienced childhood trauma which can have a long-lasting influence on their emotional development. This could make them more prone to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders like anxiety or depression.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD develop the disorder during childhood, and they almost always have a diagnosis before the age of 12. The symptoms tend to last until adulthood, which means that women with the disorder may have difficulties at school or at work at home, as well as in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their troubles by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a part in how women and girls are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Teachers and parents are more likely to be aware of the hyperactivity of boys with ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to get the support they require.
Additionally, girls with the disorder are more likely be afflicted by mood disorders and anxiety than boys with the condition. They may also attempt to conceal their symptoms by using methods of coping that are more typical for the gender they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering.
For example, some women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a particular manner to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours such as drinking too much or using drugs, especially in adolescence. They may not seek assistance until it's too late.