Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from men's. They may experience more emotional volatility, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
The signs of inattention ADHD in adults may include difficulty keeping the track of appointments and household tasks, not meeting deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. It is also common for those who suffer from inattentive ADHD to experience a concept known as "time blindness," meaning that they often forget what time it is or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of the amount of time that has passed. This can cause feelings of being disorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are especially adept in obscuring their symptoms, which can make it difficult to get an assessment. They may have learned to overcome their trouble staying well-organized by employing coping strategies like self-denial, relying upon others, or engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse.
This is why their issues with focus and organization may go unnoticed by other people until they begin to recognize their own issues. They may have a long list of foot-in-mouth moments that have embarrassed their friends or colleagues, or struggle to keep their homes and apartments tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the volume of tasks on their plates.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattention ADHD will negatively impact almost every aspect of their lives. They may miss out on social and professional opportunities because they were not invited. Or, they might not pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They may rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work or make a mistake in their relationships with others. In the end, they start to think that they are lazy or stupid and are plagued by low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk incessantly or squirm. They aren't able to pay attention to what other people are talking about. They often interrupt or make statements they don't consider. They are easily distracted and bored by tasks which do not entice them. This behavior isn't due to the desire to be defiant or a lack in comprehension it is a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to do this frequently. This kind of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information like bills or work assignments. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses, as well as other items such as wallets, keys and school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They are unable to maintain an occupation, and often begin projects that never get finished.
Many people with ADHD feel better at being themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially relevant if the person has been misled for a number of years to believe that they are irresponsible or lazy due to their procrastination or indecisiveness.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Because of this, the health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They might ask your permission to talk with family members, friends, colleagues and teachers, as well as others who know you well to find out about your present and previous behaviour and experiences. They might also perform 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 particularly when the situation is stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem, even when you need to plan and slow down. This can lead to issues at work, at school, or with relationships. You may also experience problems with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less apparent. They may hide their difficulties behind appearances of being conscientious, dependable, and well-organized. This can create a false impression that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them as a problem child or a woman who is too emotional or a perfectionist. As a result, an undiagnosed lifetime of 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 evident in two different settings, such as work and home and affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult working through work or school tasks and often appear forgetful and disorganized. You may have difficulty waiting in line, sat down or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind and you might delay or skip tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, feelings of restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD vary as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations like those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of everyday life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. They may experience feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. It is a common symptom for people with ADHD and Autism however, it can occur in people who do not have these conditions too.
RSD can trigger uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to avoid risk-taking which can limit their career and personal development. For some, it can even lead to the complete loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD can also intensify and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can lead to issues with planning and organisation as well as the inability to focus time on irrelevant tasks. It can also result in difficulties focusing and attention span, and those suffering from RSD may be stuck contemplating a small issue for hours or days.
Research suggests that people with RSD might 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) is activated more frequently when people perceive rejection. It's also thought that people who are sensitive to rejection may have suffered from childhood trauma, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. This makes them more sensitive to rejection, criticism, and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD suffer from the disorder in the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always receive a diagnosis before age 12. Symptoms tend to persist until adulthood this means that women with the disorder can continue having trouble at work or school at home, as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on women's self-esteem and they can blame themselves for their issues by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how women and girls with ADHD are perceived. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for teachers and parents to observe, while girls who have those same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or being anxious. This makes it more difficult for them to get the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls with the disorder are more likely experience anxiety and other mood disorders than boys with the condition. They are also more likely to try to mask their symptoms by using coping strategies that are typical of the gender they identify with, which could make it harder for others to see they are suffering from an issue.
For example, some women with ADHD might wear excessive makeup or dress in a certain way to avoid noticing their symptoms. adult add symptoms might also engage in risky behaviors like drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during the adolescent years. They might not seek help until it's too late.