Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms are different from males. They might experience 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 problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults may include difficulty keeping the track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and having trouble to concentrate during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers often experience "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of time. This can result in feelings like being disorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are able in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult to obtain an assessment. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to stay organized by using coping tools like self-denial, relying upon others, or even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or substance abuse.
As a result, their difficulties with organization and focus can be ignored by other people until they start to notice their own problems. They may have a long list of embarrassing incidents in which they've embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartment and homes neat and tidy and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattention ADHD can negatively impact nearly every aspect of their life. They might miss out on social and professional events because they weren't invited. adhd symptoms might also not pay their bills or return friends' phone calls promptly. They may be rushed through a test or not understand instructions in the workplace, or make careless errors in their relationships with others. At some point, they believe they are lazy or stupid and suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can be prone to fidget, squirming in their seats, or talk excessively. They also struggle to pay attentively to what others are saying, and often interrupt or make statements without considering their consequences. They are easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and tend to become bored with tasks that do not interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent or a lack of understanding, but rather a biologically-based imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
Those who have inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than others. People 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 and other things like wallets, keys and school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects, but do not complete them.
Many adults with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly applicable if the person had been misled for years into thinking they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination and disorderly behavior.
Stress, mental health disorders, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. Due to this, a health care provider must do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. They may ask for your permission to talk to your family members, colleagues 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
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath a challenge particularly when the situation becomes stressful. It is possible to feel compelled jump in and tackle something even when you should take your time and plan your actions. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or in relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less apparent. They can appear to being dependable and conscientious. This can give them a false sense that they're in control and allows people to dismiss them as a troubled child or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or a perfectionist. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime 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. inattentive adhd symptoms should be present at work and at home and interfere with your ability function.
You might find it difficult to complete assignments or work and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in lines or sat for long periods of time. You are unable to stay focused when reading, working on a computer or performing chores. You like the novelty of the monotony of life and might find yourself skipping tasks or putting off doing them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and affects the way we live our lives. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more emotional reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection, compared to other people. They may feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, whether real or perceived. It is a typical sign for people suffering from ADHD and Autism however, it can co-occur in those without these conditions too.
RSD can cause a lack of personal boundaries, which can lead to impulsive behaviors and difficulties managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which can limit their career and personal development. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for certain. RSD can also cause and intensify the primary ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can lead to issues in planning and organization as well as the inability to focus time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also lead to issues with focus and attention span. People suffering from RSD might ponder an incident for several hours or even for days.
Researchers have discovered that people who suffer from RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects how they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's threat response, activates more than other people when they experience rejection. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced trauma from childhood that could have a lasting impact on their emotional development. They may 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 influence RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood. It's almost always diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms tend to persist throughout adulthood. This means that women suffering from the disorder might be unable to cope with problems at school, work as well as in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive overeating or other substance use disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem and confidence, and they may blame themselves for their issues because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in how women and girls are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Boys who suffer from the condition generally exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for teachers and parents to notice, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms might be accused of daydreaming or being anxious. This makes it harder for them to get the help they need.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also try to conceal their symptoms by using methods of coping that are more prevalent for the gender they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to notice that they are suffering from a disorder.
Women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviors such as drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during adolescence. As a result, they may not seek the help they require until it is too late.