Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms manifest differently from males. For instance, they might be more emotionally volatile or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in transforming your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattention ADHD might have trouble keeping on top of their schedules and household chores and may miss deadlines at work and find it difficult to remain focused in meetings. It is also common for those with inattention ADHD to experience a phenomenon known as "time blindness," meaning that they frequently forget the time or get so engulfed in their work that they forget the amount of time that has passed. This can cause feelings like being disorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult to obtain a diagnosis. They might have developed strategies to cope with their inability to stay organized by using coping tools like self-denial, relying upon others, or using unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or drug abuse.
They may not even notice that they have a problem until they start to realize it for themselves. They might have a long list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed their friends or colleagues, or have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the number of tasks on their plates.
If left untreated and undiagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can wreak havoc on all aspects of their lives. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they were not invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They may be rushed through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless errors in their personal relationships. At symptoms of adhd adult , they think that they are lazy or stupid and suffer from low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD might be prone to fidget, squirming in their seats, and talk excessively. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are saying. They often interrupt or make statements they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by other things and are likely to get bored with tasks that do not interest them. The behavior is not caused by a desire to appear 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 to make appointments occasionally those with inattention ADHD do it far more often. People with this subtype of ADHD also tend to lose track of important information, like work or bills. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses and other items like wallets, keys or school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They are unable to maintain their jobs, and they often start projects that never finish.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true for those who have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination, disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Mental disorders, stress, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. This is why your health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. They might ask your permission to speak to family members, coworkers and teachers to learn more about your previous and current behavior. They could also conduct 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 may feel compelled to take action and tackle a problem even when you should take your time and plan your actions. This can lead to trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You might also be struggling with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men because their symptoms aren't as obvious. They might hide their issues behind appearances of being conscientious, dependable and organized. This can give a false sense of security and make it easier for others to view them as a troublemaker, excessively emotional, or a perfectionist. In the end, an undiagnosed lifetime of ADHD can do 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 in two different settings, like at home and at work and affect your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to finish assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sat down, or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or performing household chores. You prefer novelty to the routine and could find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off completing them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD are a part of anxiety, feelings of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and affects every aspect of life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues, which could be perceived as rejection. When they are faced with rejection - whether real or perceived, they could be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism but it can also happen to those without these conditions.
RSD can cause impulsive behavior and relationship problems. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could restrict their career and personal development. For some, it could cause an entire loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to cause and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can result in issues with organisation and planning, as well as wasting time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also lead to issues with attention and focus span. People with RSD may ruminate on a slight over several hours or even for days.
Researchers have discovered that people with RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, which is responsible for the body's threat response and is activated more than other people when they experience rejection. People who are sensitive to rejection may have also experienced trauma in their childhood which can have a long-lasting impact on their emotional growth. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people with ADHD develop the condition during their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms can last well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder may remain troubled at school, at work as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating, or other addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on women's self-esteem, and they may blame themselves for their problems by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in the way that women and girls are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Boys with the condition typically exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to notice, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms may be accused of being daydreamy or flighty. This makes it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Girls who suffer from the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also attempt to conceal their symptoms with strategies for coping that are more common for the gender they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are suffering from a disorder.
Some women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way in order to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors such as drinking too much or use of drugs, especially during the adolescent stage. As a result, they may not seek the help that they need until it's too late.