Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed, or go undiagnosed, because their symptoms are different from men's. For instance, they could have more emotional instability or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or clinician who understands ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might have trouble keeping on top of their appointments and household chores and can are late at work and have trouble staying focussed during meetings. It is also common for those who suffer from inattention ADHD to experience a concept known as "time blindness," meaning that they frequently forget the time or get so engulfed in their work that they lose track of how long it has taken. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women who have inattention ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to remain organized by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
As a result, their issues in focusing and organization can be ignored by other people until they begin to recognize their own issues. They might have a list of foot-in-mouth moments that have embarrassed family members or colleagues, or struggle to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks they have to accomplish.
If untreated and not diagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on virtually every area of their lives. They might miss out on social and professional events because they were not invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return friends' phone calls in a timely fashion. They may be rushed through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless mistakes in their relationships with others. At some point, they believe they are stupid or lazy and are plagued by low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much, or be squirming. They also have difficulty paying close attention to what others are saying, and often interrupt or make statements without considering their implications. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by an urge to defy or a lack of understanding and is due to a biological abnormality in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets appointments occasionally people with inattentive ADHD do it far more frequently. This type of ADHD can also cause people to lose track important information such as bills or work assignments. They often lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They have difficulty maintaining their jobs, and they often start projects that never end.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly relevant if the person has been misled for a number of years to believe that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination or indecisiveness.
Stress, mental health disorders, as well as physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. A doctor will need to conduct an exhaustive examination to determine the source of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They may request your permission to talk to family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and others who know you well to learn about your past and present behavior and experiences. 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 difficult especially when the situation becomes stressful. You might feel compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem even when you need to plan and slow down. This type of impulsivity can cause trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You may also experience problems with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less apparent. They might hide behind the appearance of being dependable and conscientious. This can give them the impression that they're in control and allow others to dismiss them easily as a child with a problem, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. In the end, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do serious 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 environments, such as at home and work and can affect your ability to function.
It can be difficult to finish work or school assignments and seem unorganized and forgetful. You have difficulty waiting in line or sat for long periods of time and find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a laptop, or doing chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, the feeling of frustration, restlessness, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD are prone to change with age, exacerbated by hormonal changes like during pregnancy and menopause.
4. signs of adhd adults (RSD) is a mental health condition which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and impact many aspects of everyday life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more emotional reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection than other people. They may feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, whether real or perceived. It is a typical symptom for people with ADHD and Autism, but it can be present in people without these conditions as well.
RSD can trigger uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which can limit their personal and professional growth. For some, it could even cause an entire loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to intensify and amplify the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organization as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also result in difficulties focus and attention span and those with RSD can get stuck contemplating a small issue for hours or even days.
Researchers have discovered that people who suffer from RSD might have a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be because the amygdala, which is responsible for the body's response to threats and is activated more than other individuals when they feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced trauma from childhood that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. This could make them more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people suffering from ADHD develop the condition during the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms are likely to last until the age of adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder might remain troubled at school, work as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on women's self-esteem and they could blame themselves for their problems because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in the way that girls and women are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Boys who suffer from the condition generally exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for parents and teachers to notice, whereas girls who have those same symptoms could be accused of being daydreamy or hyperactive. This makes it more difficult for them to receive the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely to be afflicted by anxiety and other mood disorders than those who suffer from the condition. They may also attempt to hide their symptoms using strategies for coping that are more typical for the gender they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to notice that they have a problem.
Women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior like excessive drinking or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. This means that they might not seek out the help that they need until it is too late.