Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms manifest differently from men's. They may have more emotional volatility, or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist who understands ADHD and women can make a a huge difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD in adults may include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and having trouble to stay focused during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers often 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 disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are able in obscuring their symptoms. This can make it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may have developed strategies to cope with their trouble staying organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying upon others, or using unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or drug abuse.
As a result, their issues with organization and focus can be ignored by other people until they start to notice their own issues. They may have a list of embarrassing instances where they have embarrassed their coworkers or friends. They may also be struggling to keep their apartment and homes neat and tidy and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
If left untreated and undiagnosed, the signs of inattention ADHD can cause havoc in virtually every area of their lives. They may be unable to participate in social and professional events because they were not invited. They might also not pay their bills on time or return friends' phone calls in a timely fashion. They could take a test too fast, misunderstand instructions at work, or make naive mistakes in their personal relationships. Eventually, they begin to believe that they are lazy or stupid and are plagued by low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk too much or be squirming. They also have trouble paying attentively to what others are saying, and often interrupt them or make statements without considering their implications. They are easily distracted by other things and are likely to become bored by things that don't appeal to them. The behavior is not caused by a desire to appear defiant or a lack of comprehension and is more likely a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone misplaces keys or forgets to make appointments from time to time those with inattentive ADHD do it far more frequently. This type of ADHD can cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They often lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They often struggle to hold their jobs and often begin projects, but do not complete the work.
Many people with ADHD feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms have been managed. This is particularly relevant if the person has been misled for a number of years into thinking they are lazy or irresponsible because of their procrastination and indecisiveness.
Stress, mental disorders and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A doctor will need to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to identify the cause of the symptoms, and then determine the most effective treatment. They might ask your permission to speak to your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your previous and current behavior. They might also conduct psychological tests like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
ADHD can make stopping and taking a breath more difficult, especially when the situation is stressful. You might feel compelled by ADHD to solve a problem even while you are supposed to plan and be patient. This type of impulsivity can cause difficulties at work, in school, or in your relationships. You may also experience issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men due to the fact that their symptoms are less apparent. They may conceal their problems by presenting themselves as reliable, diligent, and well-organized. This can create a false sense of security and make it easier for others to dismiss them as a child with a problem, an overly emotional woman or an over-achiever. As a result, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do 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 present at work and at home, and they can hinder your ability function.
You might have a hard working through school or work-related tasks, and you may appear unfocused and unorganized. You have difficulty standing in line or sat for long periods of time and are unable to stay focused when reading, working on a computer, or doing chores. You might prefer a different approach to the daily grind and you might delay or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD share some symptoms with anxiety, feelings of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations like those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. adhd symptoms and treatment is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and influences every aspect of life. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more extreme reactions than other people to social cues which may be perceived as rejection. When they are faced with rejection - whether real or perceived, they could feel shame, low self esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism but it may also be present in people who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can cause a lack of personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid taking risks, which can limit their career and personal development. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues in some. RSD can also cause and intensify the core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can cause problems in planning and organization as well as the inability to focus time on tasks that are not important. It can also lead to problems with in focusing and attention span, and those with RSD may be stuck contemplating a small issue for hours or even days.
Research suggests that those suffering from RSD might have a brain impairment in the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats, activates more than other individuals when they experience rejection. It's also thought that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced trauma in their childhood, which can leave permanent effects on their emotional development. This makes people more sensitive to rejection, criticism, and abandonment as adults. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. Symptoms tend to persist into adulthood, though this means that women who have the disorder may have problems at school or at work at home, as well as in relationships. They can also experience anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self esteem. They might blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to be aware of the hyperactivity of boys with ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to get the assistance they require.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also be more likely to try to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies that are typical of the gender they identify with, which could make it harder for others to recognize that they have an issue.
For example, some women with ADHD may wear lots of makeup or dress in a certain manner to hide their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior such as drinking excessively or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.