Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms are different from men's. They may experience more emotional instability, or a hard time controlling their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattentive ADHD might have trouble keeping the track of their household chores and appointments and may miss deadlines at work and have trouble staying focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers frequently experience "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or are so involved in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being disorganized or behind, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are particularly adept at hiding their symptoms, which can make it harder to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to cope with their inability to remain organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on other people, and even resorting unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or drug abuse.
They might not even realize that they have a problem until they realize that they have a problem. They may have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may also struggle to keep their homes and homes tidy and clean and are overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattention ADHD can have a negative impact on nearly every aspect of their lives. They might be left out of professional and social events because they aren't invited, or fail to pay their bills or return phone calls from friends promptly. They may rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions in the workplace, or make careless errors in their personal relationships. In the end, they start to think that they are stupid or lazy and suffer from low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD may fidget, squirm in their seats, or talk a lot. They have difficulty paying attention to what other people are talking about. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't think through. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to become bored with tasks that don't interest them. The behavior isn't triggered by a desire for defiance or a lack in comprehension, but a biologically based imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments at times those with inattentive ADHD tend to do it more often. People who suffer from this type of ADHD also tend to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses as well as other items such as keys, wallets or school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They often struggle to hold an occupation and often start projects, but do not complete the work.
Many adults with ADHD feel better about themselves after their symptoms have been managed. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time under the false assumption that they are incompetent or lazy because of their procrastination disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, mental disorders, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Because of this, a health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and recommend the most effective treatments. They may request your permission to speak to your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your past and present behavior. They may also conduct 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 a challenge, especially when the situation is stressful. You may feel compelled by ADHD to solve a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This can lead to difficulties at work, in school, or with relationships. You may also experience issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less obvious. They can hide behind the appearance of being conscientious and dependable. This can give an illusion of security and make it easier for people to dismiss them as a troublemaker, emotionally overly sensitive, or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime 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 must be present at work and at home, and they can hinder your ability function.
You might have a hard to complete work or school tasks and often appear forgetful and unorganized. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sitting down, or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You like the novelty of the daily grind and may find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off doing them. While ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not typically present. The symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of everyday life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more intense reactions than others to social cues that could be perceived as rejection. They may feel shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether it is real or perceived. It is a common condition for those with ADHD and Autism however it may be present in people without these conditions too.
RSD can trigger uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks which can limit their personal and professional growth. For some, it could even cause the complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD can also cause and intensify core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can lead to problems in planning and organisation as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. It can also lead to problems with focusing and attention span, and people with RSD are prone to thinking about a minor issue for hours or days.
Researchers have discovered that those suffering from RSD might be suffering from a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. hop over to this site 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 is also believed that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced childhood trauma, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. This could make them more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people with ADHD develop the disorder during their childhood, and almost always have a diagnosis before age 12. The symptoms tend to persist well into adulthood. This means that women with the disorder can be unable to cope with problems at school, work at home, and in relationships. They can also experience depression, compulsive overeating, or substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on women's self esteem. They may blame themselves, believing they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a part in the way women and girls are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for parents and teachers to observe, while girls with the same symptoms might be accused of daydreaming or flighty. This makes it difficult for them to get the support they require.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They are also more likely to try to hide their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical for the gender they identify with, which could make it harder for others to recognize that they are suffering from an issue.
Some women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behavior such as drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during the adolescent years. This means that they might not seek out the help that they need until it's too late.