Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms manifest differently than men's. They may have more emotional instability, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist who understands ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD for adults can include having trouble keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of time. This can result in feelings of being unorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly adept at hiding their symptoms, which can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis. They may have learned how to cope with their inability to remain organized through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on other people, and even resorting unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug use.
In the end, their struggles with organization and focus can be ignored by other people until they start to notice their own problems. They may have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They might also struggle to keep their homes and homes tidy and clean and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
Untreated and adhd signs in adults of inattention ADHD can have a negative impact on the entirety of their lives. They might be left out of occasions for professional or social gatherings because they aren't invited, or fail to pay bills or answer phone calls from friends in a timely manner. They may rush through a test or not understand instructions at work, or make careless errors in their personal relationships. Eventually, they begin to believe that they are stupid or lazy and suffer from low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively, or be squirming. They aren't able to pay attention to what others are talking about. They often interrupt or make statements they don't think through. They are easily distracted and bored by tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire to be defiant or a lack of understanding, but rather a biologically-based imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets appointments at times, those who have inattentive ADHD tend to do it more frequently. This subtype of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses, as well as other things like wallets, keys or school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They often struggle to hold a job and often start projects, but do not complete them.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time under the false impression that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, other mental health disorders, and physical ailments can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. A health care provider will need to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine the root cause of the symptoms and to determine the most effective treatment. They may request your permission to talk to family members, friends, coworkers and teachers, as well as others who know you well to get information about your current and past behavior and experiences. They might also administer psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath a challenge, especially when the situation becomes stressful. You might be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem, even when you need to plan and be patient. This can lead to trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You may also have problems with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less obvious. They may hide behind the appearance of being conscientious and dependable. This can create a false sense of security, and make it easier for people to dismiss them as a child with a problem, an emotionally overly sensitive, or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can cause a lot of 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 evident in two different environments, like at home and at work and can affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult working through school or work tasks, and you may appear unfocused and disorganized. You may have difficulty waiting in line, sat down, or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or performing household chores. You may prefer novelty over the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. Although ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders such as restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not 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 is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affects the way we live our lives. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more acute reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection compared to others. They may feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, either real or perceived. This is a typical sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism but it may also be present in people who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which may limit their career as well as personal development. It can lead to depression and self-esteem issues in some. RSD is also known to exacerbate and amplify the core ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can lead to problems with planning and organisation, as well wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also cause difficulties in focusing and attention span, and those with RSD can get stuck ruminating on a slight for hours or even days.
Research suggests that people with RSD might 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) activates more when people perceive rejection. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced childhood trauma that can have a lasting impact on their emotional development. This can make them more prone to rejection, criticism, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental illnesses like anxiety or depression.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people with ADHD suffer from the disorder in their childhood, and almost always receive a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last until adulthood, which means that women who have the disorder may continue to have problems at school or at work at home, as well as in relationships. They may also be struggling with depression, compulsive overeating or other substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women's self esteem. They may be tempted to blame themselves, believing that they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women who suffer from ADHD are viewed. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls who exhibit the same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or being hyperactive. This makes it difficult for them to get the support they require.
Additionally, girls with the disorder are more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They may also attempt to conceal their symptoms with methods of coping that are more prevalent for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering from a disorder.
Women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior like excessive drinking or drug use, particularly during adolescence. In the end, they might not seek out the help they require until it's too late.