Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from those of men. They may have more emotional instability, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make a huge difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
The signs of inattention ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping track of appointments and household tasks, missing deadlines at work, and having trouble to concentrate during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers frequently experience "time blindness," which is when they forget to count the minutes or are so involved 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 able at hiding their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to make up for their inability to remain organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or using drugs.
They might not even realize the issue until they start to realize it themselves. They might have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They may also struggle to keep their homes and homes neat and tidy and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattentive ADHD will negatively impact nearly every aspect of their life. They may be unable to attend occasions for professional or social gatherings since they're not invited or fail to pay their bills or return phone calls from friends in a timely manner. They could rush through a test, misunderstand instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their personal relationships. At some point, they 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 incessantly or shake their heads. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are saying. They often interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted and bored by things that do not interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire to be defiant or a lack of comprehension it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time, those who have inattention ADHD are more likely to do this often. This type of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose their wallets, eyeglasses, keys, sports equipment and/or school materials. They are unable to maintain an occupation, and often start projects that never get finished.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD say they feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false impression that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination, indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Stress, mental health issues, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. Due to this, the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend effective treatment options. They might ask your permission to talk with family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and others who know you well to find out about your present and previous behaviour and experiences. They may also conduct psychological tests, such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath more difficult especially when the situation is stressful. You may feel compelled by ADHD to solve a problem even when you need to plan and slow down. This type of impulsivity can cause issues at work, at school, or in your relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women typically have a tougher to be diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less apparent. They can hide behind the appearance of being trustworthy and diligent. This could create a false impression that they are in control and allows people to dismiss them as a problem child or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD throughout your life 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 must be present at work as well as at home, and can affect your ability function.
attention deficit disorder symptoms adults may find it difficult to complete assignments or work and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have trouble standing in line or staying still for long periods of time and find it difficult to concentrate when reading, working on a computer, or doing chores. You prefer novelty to the routine and could find yourself skipping tasks or putting off completing them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, feelings of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not seen in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as you age and are made worse by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and affects the way we live our lives. People with rejection sensitivity feel more emotional reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection, compared to others. When they are faced with rejection - real or perceived - they may be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a common sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism but it can also happen to those who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which could limit their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could cause a complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to exacerbate and intensify the core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can lead to problems in planning and organisation, as well wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also cause difficulties focus and attention span and those suffering from RSD may be stuck thinking about a minor issue for hours or days.
Researchers have discovered that people suffering from RSD may have a brain disorder that affects how they process 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. It's also thought that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced trauma in their childhood, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment as they grow older. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring like depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the condition during their childhood, and almost always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. The symptoms can last well into adulthood. This means that women with the disorder might continue to have problems at work, school at home, and in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self esteem. They may blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias can play a role in how women and girls who suffer from ADHD are perceived. The majority of boys with ADHD display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to notice, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms could be accused of being daydreamy or flighty. This makes it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They might also attempt to conceal their symptoms by using methods of coping that are more common for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering.
Women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress a certain way to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors like drinking excessively or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent stage. They may not seek help until it's too late.