Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who have ADHD are misdiagnosed or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from those of men. For example, they may have more emotional instability or have a harder time controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattention ADHD might have difficulty keeping on top of their appointments and household chores and may miss deadlines at work and have trouble staying focused during meetings. symptoms of adult attention deficit disorder suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or become so absorbed in their work that they lose track of time. This can lead to feelings like being disorganized, behind or irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are particularly good at hiding their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to get a diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their difficulty in staying organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying upon others, and even resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
They may not even be aware the issue until they begin to recognize that they have a problem. symptoms of add in adults may have a list of foot-in-mouth moments that have embarrassed their friends or coworkers, are struggling to keep their homes and apartments tidy and clean, and feel overwhelmed by the volume of tasks on their plates.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattentive ADHD will negatively impact almost every aspect of their life. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they were not invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They might take a test too fast, misunderstand instructions at work, or make careless mistakes in their personal relationships. They may begin to think they are stupid or lazy, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively, or squirm. They may have trouble paying attention to what others are saying. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and have a tendency to become bored by things that don't appeal to them. The behavior isn't triggered by an urge to defy or a lack in comprehension it is a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than others. People with this subtype of ADHD also tend to lose the track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They frequently lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses keys, sports equipment and/or school materials. They are unable to maintain their jobs, and they often start projects that never get finished.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling more confident about themselves after their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time under the false impression that they are incompetent or lazy because of their procrastination disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Stress, mental health disorders, as well as physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. This is why a health care provider must do a thorough evaluation to determine the source of the symptoms and identify effective treatments. They may request your consent to speak with your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your past and present behavior. They could also administer 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 difficult, especially when the situation is stressful. You might feel the need to get involved and tackle something even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This can lead to difficulties at work, in school, or with relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women often have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less apparent. They might hide behind the appearance of being dependable and conscientious. This can create an illusion of security, and make it easier for others to view them as a troublemaker, excessively emotional, or an over-achiever. This can lead to a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can cause 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 should be present at work and at home and interfere with your ability to function.
You might have a hard working through school or work tasks and often appear forgetful and unorganized. You have difficulty waiting in line or sat for long periods of time. You are unable to stay focused when reading or working on a laptop, or doing chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind and you might delay or avoid tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, the feeling of anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as you age and are made worse by hormonal fluctuations like those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and can affect the way we live our lives. People with rejection sensitivity feel more emotional reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection than other people. When they are faced with rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they might feel guilt, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. It is a common symptom for people with ADHD and Autism, but it can occur in people who do not have these conditions as well.
RSD can lead to a lack of personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and difficulties managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could hinder their career as well as personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to cause and intensify the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can lead to problems in planning and organisation and also spending time on tasks that are not important. It can also result in difficulties in focusing and attention span, and those with RSD may be stuck ruminating on a slight for hours or days.
Researchers have discovered that those suffering from 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) activates more 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 development. This makes people more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment in adulthood. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring like depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It is almost always diagnosed before the age of 12. The symptoms tend to last throughout adulthood this means that women who have the disorder may have trouble at work or school at home, as well as in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive overeating or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll 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 the way that girls and women are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. The majority of boys with ADHD display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls with the same symptoms might be accused of daydreaming or being flighty. This makes it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the condition are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders and anxiety than those who suffer from the condition. They may also be more likely to to mask their symptoms employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which could make it harder for others to realize that they have a problem.
For instance, women with ADHD may wear excessive makeup or dress in a particular way to avoid noticing their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviors such as drinking excessively or drug use, especially during adolescence. They may not seek assistance until it's too late.