Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed, as their symptoms are different from those of men. They may have more emotional instability or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD for adults can include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, not meeting deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. It is also typical for people with inattention ADHD to experience a condition called "time blindness," meaning that they often forget the time or are so caught up in their work that they lose track of the amount of time that has passed. This can lead to feelings like being disorganized, behind or irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are especially adept at hiding their symptoms, which can make it difficult for them to receive an assessment. They may have learned to overcome their trouble staying organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying upon others, or even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
This is why their struggles with organization and focus can be overlooked by other people until they start to notice their own issues. They might have a long list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed friends or colleagues, or have to work hard to keep their apartments and homes clean and organized, and feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they have to complete.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattention ADHD will affect nearly every aspect of their lives. They might miss out on social and professional opportunities due to the fact that they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills or return friends' phone calls promptly. what are the symptoms of adhd in adults may rush through a test or misunderstand the instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They may begin to think they are lazy or stupid and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can fidget, squirm in their seat, and talk excessively. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are talking about. They frequently interrupt or make statements they don't think through. They are easily distracted by extraneous things and are likely to get bored with tasks that don't interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by the desire to be defiant or a lack of understanding it is a biological deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets appointments at times, those who have inattentive ADHD do it far more often. what are symptoms of adhd in adults with this subtype of ADHD also have a tendency to lose track of important information, like work or bills. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses, as well as other items like wallets, keys or school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They are often unable to keep an occupation, and often start projects that never finish.
Many adults with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms have been controlled. This is especially true for those who have been suffering for a long time with the false assumption that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination, indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illness can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. This is why a health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend the most effective treatments. They may ask for your consent to speak with family members, coworkers and teachers to get more information about your past and present behavior. They could 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, particularly when you are stressed. You may be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This impulsivity can lead to problems with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You might also be struggling with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less obvious. They may appear to being conscientious and dependable. This can give an illusion 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 the course of a lifetime could 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 settings, like at home and at work and affect your ability to function.
It can be difficult to complete assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You might have trouble waiting in line, sat down or staying focused while reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You prefer novelty to the monotony of life and might be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are typically not seen in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and prenatal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affects many aspects of daily life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more intense reactions than others to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. When they are faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they could feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a common sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism but it can also occur in those who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can lead to a lack of personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which can restrict their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could even lead to the complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. 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 organisation and planning as well as the inability to focus time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also lead to issues with focus and attention span. People with RSD might ponder a slight over hours or even days.
Research suggests that people with RSD may suffer from brain impairments in the processing of emotional information. This could be because the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's threat response and is activated more than other people when they feel rejected. People with rejection sensitivity may also have experienced trauma from childhood which can have a long-lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people with ADHD suffer from the disorder in the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always get a diagnosis prior to 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, and in relationships. They might also be suffering from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self esteem. They might blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias can play a role in how women and girls with ADHD are perceived. Boys with the condition typically exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to notice, whereas girls who have those same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or anxious. This makes it difficult for them to receive the support 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 employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which can make it difficult for others to realize that they have a problem.
Women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way in order to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during adolescence. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.