Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed, or not diagnosed, as their symptoms differ from men's. They may have more emotional instability or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make a huge difference in turning your unique problems into strengths.
1. adhd in men symptoms of inattention ADHD in adults may include difficulty keeping 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 forget the time or become so absorbed in their work that they forget about time. This can result in feelings of being disorganized, behind or irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They might have learned to cope with their inability to stay organized by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
They might not even realize that they're having a problem until they begin to recognize it for themselves. They might have a long list of foot-in mouth incidents that have embarrassed their friends or colleagues, have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized, and feel overwhelmed by the number of work they have to complete.
If untreated and not diagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can wreak havoc on the entirety of their lives. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they weren't invited. In adhd in men symptoms , they may not pay their bills or return friends' phone calls promptly. They may rush through a test or not understand instructions at work or make a mistake in their personal relationships. Eventually, they begin to believe that they are stupid or lazy and are plagued by low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fumble in their seats, talk incessantly or be squirming. They aren't able to pay attention to what others are saying. They often interrupt or make statements that they don't think through. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent or a lack of understanding it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time those with inattention ADHD are more likely to do this frequently. People with this type of ADHD also tend to lose track of important information, such as work or bills. They often forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other items like keys, wallets and school supplies and sports equipment. They often struggle to hold a job and often start projects, but don't complete them.
Many people with ADHD feel more confident at being themselves once their symptoms have been controlled. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for a long time into believing that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination and indecisiveness.
Stress, mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Due to this, the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the source of the symptoms and identify effective treatments. They may request your permission to speak to family members, coworkers and teachers to find out more about your past and present behavior. They might also conduct psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a breath, particularly when you are stressed. It is possible to feel compelled jump in and tackle something even though you should take your time and plan your actions. This can lead to problems with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You might also have issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less obvious. They might hide their issues behind appearances of being reliable, diligent and organized. This can give a false sense of security and make it easier for people to dismiss them as a child with a problem, an emotionally overly sensitive or a perfectionist. This can lead to a lifetime of undiagnosed 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 should be evident in two different settings like at home and at work and affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult working through work or school tasks, and you may appear unfocused and disorganized. You have a hard time standing in line or staying still for long periods of time and have trouble staying focused while reading, working on a computer or working on chores. You may prefer novelty over the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, anxiety, irritability and forgetfulness are generally not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD change as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal changes such as those that are experienced during menopausal pregnancy or menopausal menopausal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and can affect every aspect of life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more acute reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection, compared to others. When they experience rejection - real or perceived, they could be afflicted with guilt, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. It is a typical condition for those with ADHD and Autism, but it can be present in people without these conditions too.
RSD can cause an inability to set personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which can limit their career as well as personal growth. For some, it may cause the complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD can also cause and amplify the core ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can result in issues in planning and organisation and also spending time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also cause problems with focusing and attention span. People suffering from RSD might ponder the slightest thing for several hours or even for days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD may suffer from brain impairments in the processing of 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 can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more prone to rejection, criticism, 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 Atypical Behaviors
Many people suffering from ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms are likely to last well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder can remain troubled at school, at work as well as in relationships. They can also experience depression, compulsive eating or other substance use disorders. what are symptoms of adhd in adults of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem of women, and they may blame themselves for their issues by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in the way girls and women are viewed when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to spot, whereas girls with the same symptoms may be accused of being daydreamy or flighty. This makes it difficult for them to receive 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 try to conceal their symptoms with coping techniques that are more common for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they have a problem.
For example, some women suffering from ADHD might wear a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to avoid noticing their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior like excessive drinking or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. They may not seek assistance until it's too late.