Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from men's. They might experience more emotional volatility, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist who understands ADHD and women can make a huge difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might have trouble keeping track of their schedules and household chores and may miss deadlines at work and find it difficult to remain focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD patients often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget to count the minutes or are so involved in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings like being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly good at hiding their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to get an assessment. They may have learned to compensate for their difficulty in staying organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying on others, or even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse.
They may not even notice that they have a problem until they realize it for themselves. They might have a list of embarrassing instances where they have embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
If left untreated and undiagnosed, the symptoms of inattentive ADHD can wreak havoc on the entirety of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social events since they're not invited or fail to pay bills or answer phone calls from friends promptly. They may take a test too fast or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless mistakes in their relationships with others. They begin to think that they are lazy or stupid and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD may fidget, squirm in their seat, and talk a lot. They also have difficulty paying close attention to the words of others and often interrupt or make statements without thinking about the consequences. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to get bored with tasks that do not interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by the desire to be defiant or a lack of understanding it is a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
Those who have inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than others. This subtype of ADHD can cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses as well as other things like wallets, keys or school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They are often unable to keep their jobs and often begin projects but never complete their work.
adhd in adults symptoms with ADHD feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true for those who have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are lazy or irresponsible because of their procrastination indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Mental disorders, stress, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A healthcare professional will need to conduct an extensive examination to identify the cause of the symptoms and then determine the most effective treatment. They might ask your permission to talk with family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and others who know you well to find out about your current and past behavior and experiences. They may also administer psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it hard to stop and take a breath, especially when you are stressed. You might feel compelled by ADHD to tackle a problem even though you should plan and take your time. This type of impulsivity can cause issues at work, at school, or in your relationships. There are also issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women often have a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men, as their symptoms aren't as obvious. They might hide their issues behind appearances of being reliable, diligent and well-organized. This can give an illusion of security, and make it easier for others to view them as a child with a problem, an emotionally overly sensitive or a perfectionist. Undiagnosed ADHD throughout your life can seriously damage 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 evident in two different environments, like at home and at work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to complete homework or school assignments, and seem unorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time standing in line or staying still for long periods of time and are unable to stay focused when reading, working on a computer or performing chores. You might prefer a different approach to the monotony of your day, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks to avoid them. While ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD vary as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of daily life. People with rejection sensitivity have more intense reactions than others to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. When they experience rejection, whether it is real or perceived - they may be afflicted with shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. It is a common condition for those with ADHD and Autism, but it can be present in people without these conditions as well.
RSD can cause an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. adhd in adult women symptoms can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, which may limit their career as well as personal growth. For some, it can even lead to an entire loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD is also known to cause and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation, as well spending time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also lead to issues with focus and attention span. People with RSD might be prone to ruminating on an incident for hours or even days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD may have a brain impairment in the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats is more active than other people when they feel rejected. It is also believed that people who are sensitive to rejection may have suffered from childhood trauma that can have lasting impacts on their emotional development. This makes people more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the disorder during childhood, and they almost always get a diagnosis prior to age 12. The symptoms tend to last until adulthood this means that women with the disorder may continue to have difficulties at school or at work at home, as well as in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive overeating or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem and confidence and they could blame themselves for their troubles because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor 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, whereas girls might be accused of a daydream. adhd in adult women symptoms makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Girls who suffer from the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also attempt to conceal their symptoms with strategies for coping that are more typical for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they are suffering from a disorder.
Some women suffering from ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a certain way in order to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors such as drinking excessively or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. As a result, they may not seek the assistance they require until it is too late.