Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms manifest differently from men's. They may have more emotional volatility, or struggle to control their emotions.
Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make a a huge difference in transforming your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and household chores and may are late at work and find it difficult to remain focussed during meetings. It's also common for people with inattention ADHD to experience a phenomenon called "time blindness," meaning that they often forget what time it is or get so engulfed in their task that they forget how much time has passed. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women who have inattention ADHD can be particularly adept at hiding their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to stay organized by using coping strategies like self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
As a result, their difficulties in focusing and organization can go unnoticed by others until they finally start to notice their own issues. They may have a long list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed their friends or colleagues, or are struggling to keep their homes and apartments tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the number of work they have to complete.
If left untreated and undiagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can wreak havoc on the entirety of their lives. They may miss out on social and professional opportunities because they were not invited. Or, they might not pay their bills on time or respond to phone calls from friends promptly. They might be rushed through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. They may begin to think they are lazy or stupid, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD might fidget, squirm in their seats, and talk excessively. They may have trouble paying attention to what others are talking about. adult adhd symtoms interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli and have a tendency to become bored with things that don't appeal to them. The behavior isn't triggered by a desire for defiance or a lack in comprehension and is due to a biological abnormality in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets about appointments from time to time those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to do this often. People who suffer from this type of ADHD also have a tendency to lose the track of important information, like work or bills. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses as well as other things like wallets, keys and school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They have difficulty maintaining an occupation, and often start projects that never get finished.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for a number of years to believe that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination and disorganization.
Stress, mental health disorders, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. This is why a health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine effective treatment options. They may ask for your permission to talk to your family members, colleagues and teachers to find out more 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 becomes stressful. You may feel compelled to jump in and tackle something even though you should take your time and plan your actions. This impulsivity can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, work, and 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 tend to be less obvious. They can appear to being dependable and conscientious. This can create a false sense of security and make it easier for others to dismiss them as a troublemaker, emotionally overly sensitive or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD throughout your life can severely damage 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 can affect your ability function.
You may find it difficult to finish assignments or work and appear disorganized and forgetful. You may have difficulty waiting in line, sat down or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or doing household chores. You might prefer a different approach to the monotony of your day, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity associated with ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, feelings of restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as you age and are made worse by hormonal fluctuations, 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 controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of daily life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more intense reactions to social cues that may 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. This is a common symptom of people with ADHD or Autism but it can also happen to those who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can trigger an impulsive behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which may limit their career and personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD can also cause and amplify core ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can lead to problems with planning and organisation as well as being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. It can also cause difficulties focus and attention span and those suffering from RSD can get stuck ruminating on a slight for hours or days.
Research suggests that people suffering from RSD may have a brain impairment that affects the processing of emotional information. This could be because the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats, activates more than other individuals when they perceive rejection. People with rejection sensitivity may also have experienced trauma from childhood that could have a lasting impact on their emotional development. They may be more prone to rejection, criticism, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood. It's almost always diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms can last into adulthood, though, which means that women with the disorder can continue having difficulties at school or at work at home, as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating, or other addiction disorders. adult female adhd symptoms can affect women's self-esteem. They might be tempted to blame themselves, believing that they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias can play a role in the way that girls and women who suffer from ADHD are perceived. Boys with the condition typically exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls who exhibit the same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or flighty. This makes it harder for them to get the help that they need.
Girls with the disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They might also attempt to conceal their symptoms with strategies for coping that are more common for the gender they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to recognize that they are suffering.
Some women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way in order to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior such as excessive drinking or use of drugs, especially during adolescence. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.