Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms manifest differently than men's. They may experience more emotional volatility, or a hard time controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in turning your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD for adults can include difficulty keeping track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to concentrate during meetings. It is also common for those who suffer from inattention ADHD to experience a phenomenon known as "time blindness," meaning that they frequently forget what time it is or are so caught up in their task that they lose track of the amount of time that has passed. This can lead to feelings like being disorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to compensate for their inability to keep track of things by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on others and resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use.
As a result, their difficulties with focus and organization may go unnoticed by others until they realize their own issues. They might have a long list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed friends or colleagues, have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the volume of tasks on their plates.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattentive ADHD can have a negative impact on the entirety of their lives. They may be unable to attend professional and social events because they aren't invited, or fail to pay bills or return phone calls from friends promptly. They may rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work or commit a few blunders in their relationships. They begin to think that they are lazy or stupid, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk excessively or be squirming. They also struggle to pay attentively to what others are saying, and frequently interrupt or make statements without considering their consequences. They are easily distracted and bored by things that do not interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire to be insolent or a lack of understanding it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
Those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than other. This subtype of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other items like wallets, keys and school supplies and sports equipment. They are unable to maintain their jobs, and they often begin projects that never get finished.
Many people suffering from ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms have been managed. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false impression that they are unreliable or lazy due to their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, mental disorders and physical illness can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Because of this, the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. They might ask your permission to speak with family members, friends, colleagues and teachers, as well as others who know you well to learn about your current and past behaviors and experiences. They might also conduct psychological tests, like 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 is stressful. You may feel compelled to take action and tackle a problem even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You may also experience problems with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women typically have a tougher time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less apparent. They might hide their issues under the pretense of being a conscientious, dependable and well-organized. This could give them a false sense that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them as a troubled child, an overly emotional woman 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 must be present in two different settings such as work and home and affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult to complete school or work tasks, and you may appear unfocused and disorganized. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sitting still, or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD are a part of anxiety, the feeling of anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of everyday life. People with rejection sensitivity feel more intense reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection than others. They may experience feelings of anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether real or perceived. This is a common sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism but it can also occur in those without these conditions.
RSD can trigger an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could hinder their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could even lead to the complete loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD is also known to intensify and increase the severity of core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation, as well as wasting time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span. People with RSD might ponder an incident for hours or even days.
adhd signs in adults have discovered that people with RSD might be suffering from 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) is more active when people feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced trauma from childhood that could have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. This can make them more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in adulthood. Mental health disorders that co-occur such as anxiety or depression can also affect RSD by impacting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the disorder during childhood, and they almost always have a diagnosis before the age of 12. The symptoms can last well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder might be unable to cope with problems at school, work at home, and in relationships. They can also experience depression, compulsive eating or other substance use disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on women's self-esteem and they can blame themselves for their troubles by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in how women and girls with ADHD are viewed. The majority of boys with ADHD display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to spot, whereas girls with the same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or anxious. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help that they need.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also attempt to hide their symptoms using methods of coping that are more prevalent for the gender they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they have a problem.
For instance, women suffering from ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress in a certain way so that they don't notice their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors like drinking excessively or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent stage. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.