Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms are different from males. For instance, they could 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 individual challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
The signs of inattention ADHD in adults may include difficulty keeping track of appointments and household tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and struggling to remain focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or are so involved in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women who suffer from inattention ADHD are especially adept in obscuring their symptoms, which may make it difficult to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to make up for their inability to remain organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or using drugs.
They might not even realize that they have a problem until they realize it for themselves. They may have a long list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed friends or colleagues, or have to work hard to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized, and feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks they have to accomplish.
Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms of inattention ADHD will have a negative impact on nearly every aspect of their life. They may be unable to participate in social and professional opportunities because they weren't invited. Or, they might not be able to pay their bills or return friends' phone calls promptly. They might rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless errors in their relationships with others. In the end, they start to believe that they are incompetent or foolish and suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can fidget, shake their seats, and talk too much. They aren't able to pay attention to what others are saying. They often interrupt or make statements that they don't consider. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that do not interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by an urge to defy or a lack of understanding, but a biologically based deficit in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than other. People with this subtype of ADHD also have a tendency to lose the track of important information, like bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses, as well as other items like wallets, keys, school materials such as sports equipment, etc. They have difficulty maintaining their jobs, and they often start projects that never end.
Many people suffering from ADHD feel more confident at being themselves once their symptoms have been controlled. This is particularly relevant if the person has been misled for a number of years into believing that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination or disorganization.
Stress, mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. This is why your health care provider should conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and recommend the most effective treatments. They may request your permission to talk to family members, coworkers and teachers to learn more about your previous and current behavior. They may also conduct psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a deep breath, especially when things are stressful. It is possible to feel compelled take action and tackle a problem even when you should take your time and plan your actions. This can lead to problems with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You may also have problems with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms are less apparent. They might hide their issues behind appearances of being trustworthy, reliable, and well-organized. This can create an illusion of security and make it easier for others to dismiss them as a child with a problem, an excessively emotional or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can seriously 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 evident in two different settings, such as at home and work, and interfere with your ability to function.
It can be difficult to complete work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in line or sat for long periods of time. You find it difficult to concentrate when reading, working on a computer or performing chores. You might prefer a different approach to 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, restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are typically not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD change with age and are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and can affect many aspects of daily life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more intense reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection compared to other people. They may experience feelings of anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. This is a common characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism but it can also happen to those without these conditions.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could hinder their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could cause a complete loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD is also known to cause and intensify core ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can lead to problems in planning and organisation and also being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. It can also result in difficulties focus and attention span and those suffering from RSD are prone to ruminating on a slight for hours or days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD may have a brain impairment that affects 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 perceive rejection. It's also thought that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced childhood trauma which could have lasting impacts on their emotional development. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment in the adult years. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders like anxiety or depression.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from the disorder in their childhood, and almost always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. The symptoms tend to last until adulthood, which means that women with the disorder can continue having difficulties at school or at work as well as at home and in relationships. They can also experience anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on women's self-esteem and they could blame themselves for their troubles by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how women and girls with ADHD are viewed. The majority of boys with ADHD display hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to observe, while girls with the same symptoms could be accused of daydreaming or being hyperactive. This makes it more difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They might also attempt to conceal their symptoms with methods of coping that are more prevalent for the gender that 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 may also engage in risky behaviours such as excessive drinking or use of drugs, especially in the adolescent stage. symptoms of add in adults might not seek assistance until it's too late.