Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms differ from men's. For instance, they might experience more emotional volatility or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD in adults could include having trouble keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers frequently experience "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or become so absorbed in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being disorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly good at showcasing their symptoms, which can make it difficult for them to receive an diagnosis. They may have learned how to cope with their inability to stay organized by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or using drugs.
This is why their difficulties in focusing and organization can be overlooked by others until they finally start to notice their own issues. They might have a list of embarrassing instances where they've embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They might also struggle to keep their homes and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattentive ADHD will have a negative impact on nearly every aspect of their lives. They might miss out on professional and social events because they're not invited, or fail to pay their bills or return friend's phone calls in a timely manner. They may be rushed through a test or misunderstand instructions at work, or make careless errors in their relationships. Eventually, they begin to believe that they are incompetent or foolish, and struggle with low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk too much or be squirming. They also have difficulty paying attention to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted by other things and are likely to get bored with tasks that do not interest them. This behavior isn't due to a desire for defiance or a lack of comprehension it is a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than others. i thought about this with this type of ADHD also tend to lose the 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 keys, wallets, school materials and sports equipment. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects, but do not finish the work.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for years into believing that they are irresponsible or lazy due to their procrastination or disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A health care provider will have to conduct an extensive examination to identify the cause of the symptoms, and then determine the most effective treatment. They might ask your consent to speak with family members, coworkers and teachers to find out more 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
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a breath, particularly when things are stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to solve a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This type of impulsivity can cause difficulties at work, in school, or in your relationships. There are also issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less obvious. They may appear to being trustworthy and diligent. This could give them a false sense that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them easily as a problem child, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of 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 as well as at home and interfere with your ability to function.
You might find it difficult to complete assignments or work and look disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in line or staying still for long periods of time. You find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a laptop or working on chores. You might prefer a different approach to the routine, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks to avoid them. While ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as you age and are made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. They may experience feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. It is a common symptom for people with ADHD and Autism, but it can co-occur in those without these conditions too.
RSD can cause an inability to set personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, which may limit their career as well as personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for certain. RSD can also intensify and increase the severity of the primary ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can result in issues in planning and organization, as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also lead to problems with focus and attention span and those with RSD may be stuck thinking about a minor issue for days or hours.
Research suggests that people suffering from RSD might suffer from brain impairments 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 feel rejected. It is also believed that those with rejection sensitivity might have experienced childhood trauma that can have permanent effects on their emotional development. This could make people more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment as adults. Mental health disorders that co-occur such as depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the condition during the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. The symptoms are likely to last well into adulthood. This means that women suffering from the disorder might be unable to cope with problems at school, at work at home, and in relationships. They may also suffer from depression, compulsive eating, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self esteem. They might be tempted to blame themselves, believing that they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in how women and girls with ADHD are perceived. Parents and teachers are more likely to observe the hyperactivity of boys with ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to receive the support they require.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also be more likely to to mask their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical for the gender they identify with, which could make it more difficult for others to recognize that they have a problem.
Women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours such as drinking too much or use of drugs, especially in the adolescent years. They may not seek help until it's too late.