Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are misdiagnosed or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from those of men. For instance, they could experience more emotional volatility or have trouble regulating their emotions.
Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make a a huge difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might have difficulty keeping track of their household chores and appointments and may have trouble meeting deadlines at work, and struggle to stay focused during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or are so involved in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are particularly adept at hiding their symptoms, which can make it harder to get a diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to remain organized through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or using drugs.
In the end, their struggles with focus and organization may be overlooked by others until they begin to recognize their own issues. They may have a long list of embarrassing moments where they have embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may also struggle to keep their apartments and homes neat and tidy and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattention ADHD can negatively impact the entirety of their life. They might miss out on professional and social events because they aren't invited, or fail to pay bills or return friend's phone calls promptly. They may be rushed through a test, or fail to follow instructions in the workplace or commit a few blunders in their personal relationships. They begin to think that they are incompetent or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD may fidget, shake their seat, and talk a lot. They have difficulty paying attention to what other people are saying. They frequently interrupt or make statements they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted and bored by things which do not entice them. The behavior isn't caused by the desire to be defiant or a lack of comprehension and is due to a biological deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than other people. This type of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information such as bills or work assignments. They often forget or lose eyeglasses and other items like wallets, keys or school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They have difficulty maintaining a job, and they often begin projects that never end.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false impression that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, other mental health disorders, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. Due to this, your health care provider should conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend the most effective treatments. They may request your permission to talk with family members, friends, colleagues and teachers as well as others who know you well to learn about your past and present behaviors and experiences. They may also conduct psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. what are the symptoms of adult adhd can make stopping and taking a breath difficult especially when the situation is stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to solve a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This can lead to problems at work, in school, or in your relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder to diagnose ADHD than men because their symptoms are less obvious. They may conceal their problems behind appearances of being conscientious, dependable, and well-organized. This can give them a false sense that they are in control, and permit people to dismiss them as a child with a problem or a woman who is too emotional or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can severely 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 should be present at work as well as at home and interfere with your ability to function.
It can be difficult to finish work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have difficulty standing in line or sitting still for long periods of time and find it difficult to concentrate when reading, working on a computer or performing chores. You like the novelty of the routine and could be prone to skipping tasks or putting off completing them. While ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders such as restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness aren't typically present. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, and can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy and menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of life. People with rejection sensitivity 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 symptom for people with ADHD and Autism however, it can occur in people who do not have these conditions as well.
RSD can trigger an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks which can limit their career as well as personal growth. For some, it may cause a complete loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to exacerbate and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can lead to issues in planning and organization as well as the inability to focus time on tasks that are not important. It can also result in difficulties in focusing and attention span, and those with RSD can get stuck contemplating a small issue for hours or even days.
Research suggests that people suffering from RSD might have a brain impairment in the processing of emotional information. This could be because the amygdala, which is responsible for the body's response to threats is more active than other people when they experience rejection. People who are sensitive to rejection may have also experienced trauma in their childhood that could have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. This can make them more prone to criticism, rejection, and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people suffering from ADHD develop the condition during their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms are likely to last well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder may remain troubled at work, school as well as in relationships. They may also suffer from depression, compulsive eating disorders, or addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on self-esteem and confidence, and they may blame themselves for their troubles by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how women and girls with ADHD are viewed. Boys who suffer from the condition generally display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to notice, whereas girls who have those same symptoms may be accused of being daydreamy or anxious. This makes it difficult for them to get the assistance they require.
Additionally, girls with the condition are more likely to suffer from mood disorders and anxiety as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They might also attempt to hide their symptoms using coping techniques that are more common for the gender that they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering from a disorder.
Some women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way in order to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior such as excessive drinking or drug use, particularly during adolescence. They might not seek help until it's too late.