Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms manifest differently from men's. For instance, they could be more emotionally volatile 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 difficulties into strengths.
1. adult adhd symptoms of inattention ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. It is also common for those with inattention ADHD to experience a phenomenon known as "time blindness," meaning that they often forget what time it is or get so engulfed in their work that they forget the amount of time that has passed. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are especially adept at showcasing their symptoms, which can make it harder to get an diagnosis. signs of adhd might have learned to cope with their inability to stay organized through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
They may not even be aware that they have a problem until they realize it for themselves. They may have a list of embarrassing instances where they embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartments and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
If untreated and not diagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can cause havoc in virtually every area of their lives. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they were not invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return phone calls from friends promptly. They could be rushed through a test or misunderstand the instructions at work, or make naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They start to believe that they are stupid or lazy, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much or shake their heads. They also have trouble paying attentively to the words of others and often interrupt them or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and tend to become bored with tasks that don't interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire for being defiant or a lack of comprehension 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 inattention ADHD tend to do it more frequently. signs adhd who suffer from this type of ADHD also have a tendency to lose the track of important information, such as work or bills. They often lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses keys, sports equipment, and/or school supplies. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects but never complete the work.
Many people with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms have been managed. This is especially relevant if the person has been misled for years into believing that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination and disorderly behavior.
Stress, other mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. Due to this, the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of the symptoms and recommend effective treatments. They may request your permission to speak to your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information 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 difficult to take a breath, particularly when you are stressed. You may feel compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem, even when you need to plan and slow down. This impulsivity can lead to problems with schoolwork, work, and relationships. There are also 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 hide their difficulties under the pretense of being a conscientious, dependable and organized. This can create an illusion of security and make it easier for people to dismiss them as a troublemaker, excessively emotional, or an over-achiever. In the end, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can cause 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 must be present at work and at home, and can affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult time following through with school or work tasks, and you may appear unfocused and unorganized. You might have trouble waiting in line, sitting down or staying focused while reading or working on your computer, or performing household chores. You may want to be more creative than the monotony of your day, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, anxiety, irritability and forgetfulness are generally not seen in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is an illness of the mind that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and impact many aspects of daily life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more acute reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection than others. They may experience feelings of anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. It is a common condition for those with ADHD and Autism however, it can co-occur in those without these conditions too.
RSD can cause uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to avoid risk-taking which can limit their personal and professional growth. It can lead to depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to cause and increase the severity of the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation, as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also cause difficulties in focusing and attention span, and people with RSD may be stuck ruminating on a slight for days or hours.
Research suggests that those suffering from 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) activates more when people feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could have also experienced trauma in their childhood that could have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. This makes them more prone to rejection, criticism and abandonment in adulthood. Co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by impacting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always receive a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last until the age of adulthood. This means that women suffering from the disorder can remain troubled at school, at work, home and in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating, or substance abuse disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem of women and they could blame themselves for their problems by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a part in how girls and women are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to spot, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms could be accused of being daydreamy or hyperactive. This makes it harder for them to receive the assistance they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also be more likely to try to mask their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which can make it more difficult for others to realize that they have an issue.
For example, some women with ADHD may wear lots of makeup or dress in a particular way so that they don't notice their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours like excessive drinking or drug use, especially during adolescence. In the end, they might not seek out the assistance they require until it is too late.