Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are misdiagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms are different from men's. They may have more emotional instability, or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or counselor who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might have difficulty keeping on top of their schedules and household chores and can miss deadlines at work and struggle to stay focussed during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or are so involved in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings of being unorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms, which can make it harder to get a diagnosis. They might have developed strategies to cope with their trouble staying well-organized by employing coping strategies like self-denial, relying upon others, or using unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or drug abuse.
In the end, their issues in focusing and organization can be ignored by others until they finally realize their own problems. They may have a long list of embarrassing instances where they have embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their homes and homes neat and tidy and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their work.
If left untreated and undiagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on all aspects of their lives. They may be left out of social events and professional opportunities because they're not invited, or fail to pay the bills or answer phone calls from friends in a timely manner. They might be rushed through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or make naive mistakes in their personal relationships. They start to believe that they are lazy or stupid, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much, or be squirming. They also struggle to pay attentively to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without considering their consequences. They are easily distracted by irrelevant things and are likely to get bored with tasks that do not interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding it is a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets about appointments at times those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to do this frequently. This type of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They often forget or lose eyeglasses and other items such as wallets, keys and school supplies, sports equipment, etc. They often struggle to hold a job and often start projects, but do not finish the work.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if the person has been misled for years into thinking they are irresponsible or lazy due to their procrastination and disorganization.
Stress, mental health disorders, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. A health care provider will have to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to identify the cause of the symptoms, and to determine the most effective treatment. They might ask 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, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to take a breath, particularly when things are stressful. You might feel compelled by ADHD to tackle a problem even though you should plan and take your time. This type of impulsivity can cause issues at work, at school, or in relationships. adhd signs in adults might also be struggling with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women often have a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less obvious. They might hide their issues behind appearances of being reliable, diligent and organized. This can give an illusion of security and make it easier for others to dismiss them as a troublemaker, emotionally overly sensitive, or an over-achiever. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of ADHD can cause 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 should be evident in two different environments, such as work and home, and interfere with your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to finish assignments or work and appear disorganized and forgetful. You might have trouble waiting in line, sitting still or staying focused while reading, working on the computer, or performing household chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD are a part of anxiety, the feeling of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are usually not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age, and can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and influences every aspect of life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more intense reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection compared to others. They may experience feelings of anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, either real or perceived. It is a typical symptom for people with ADHD and Autism however it may occur in people who do not have these conditions too.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, which can lead to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, limiting their personal and professional growth. It can also cause depression and self-esteem issues for certain. RSD is also known to intensify and amplify core ADHD symptoms, including time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organization, as well spending time on tasks that are not important. RSD can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span. People suffering from RSD may ruminate on an incident for hours or even days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD may have a brain impairment in the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, responsible for the body's threat response and is activated more than other people when they perceive rejection. It is also believed that those with rejection sensitivity might have suffered from childhood trauma, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in the adult years. Co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood. It's almost always diagnosed before the age of 12. The symptoms tend to persist well into adulthood. This means that women with the disorder can remain troubled at school, at work as well as in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive eating, or substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on women's self-esteem. They may blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a role in how women and girls who suffer from ADHD are perceived. Teachers and parents are more likely to observe hyperactive behavior in boys with ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders and anxiety than boys with the condition. They may also be more likely to to mask their symptoms by using strategies to cope that are typical of the gender they identify with, which may make it difficult for others to see they have an issue.
adhd in adults signs with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior like drinking excessively or drug use, particularly in the adolescent years. This means that they might not seek out the help that they need until it is too late.