Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed as their symptoms manifest differently from men's. For example, they may experience more emotional volatility or have trouble controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make a huge difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping the track of appointments and household tasks, not meeting deadlines at work, and having trouble to remain focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers often suffer from "time blindness," which is when they lose track of time or get so caught up in their work that they forget about time. This can lead to feelings like being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are particularly good at hiding their symptoms, which may make it difficult to get an assessment. They might have learned to compensate for their difficulty in staying organised by using coping methods such as self-denial, relying on others, and even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or substance abuse.
As a result, their issues in focusing and organization can go unnoticed by others until they begin to recognize their own issues. They may have a list of embarrassing incidents in which they have embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes clean and organized and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
If untreated and not diagnosed the symptoms of inattention ADHD can wreak havoc on all aspects of their lives. They might miss out on social and professional events because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or respond to phone calls from friends promptly. They may be rushed through a test or not understand instructions at work or commit a few blunders in their relationships. They start to believe that they are stupid or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk incessantly, or be squirming. They also have trouble paying attention to the words of others and frequently interrupt or make statements without considering the consequences. They are easily distracted and bored by activities that don't 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).
While everyone loses keys or forgets about appointments from time to time people with inattentive ADHD tend to do it more frequently. People who suffer from this type of ADHD also tend to lose the track of important information, such as work or bills. They often forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other things like keys, wallets, school materials, sports equipment, etc. They are often unable to keep their jobs, and they often start projects that never get finished.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false impression that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination, indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Mental disorders, stress, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. More to this, your health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the source of the symptoms and identify effective treatment options. They might ask your permission to talk to your family members, colleagues and teachers to learn more about your past and present behavior. They may also conduct psychological tests such as the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Having ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a breath, especially when things are stressful. It is possible to feel compelled take action and tackle a problem even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This impulsivity can lead to trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. You may also experience issues with finances, driving or managing your home.
Women often have a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men, as their symptoms are less obvious. They may appear to being conscientious and dependable. This could give them a false sense that they are in control and allow people to dismiss them as a child with a problem or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can cause a lot of 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 must be evident in two different settings such as at home and work and can affect your ability to function.
You may have a difficult to complete school or work tasks and often appear forgetful and unorganized. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sat down or staying focused when reading or working on your computer, or performing household chores. You may prefer novelty over the routine and you might delay or skip tasks to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity of ADHD have some resemblances to anxiety, the feeling of frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate with age and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is mental health disorder that is that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and impact many aspects of life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more acute reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection, compared to other people. When they face rejection - real or perceived - they may be afflicted with shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a common symptom of people with ADHD or Autism but it can also occur in those who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can cause uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, limiting their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could cause the complete loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD can also cause and increase the severity of the core ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can result in issues with organisation and planning and can lead to wasting time on tasks that are not important. It can also cause difficulties focusing and attention span, and people with RSD are prone to contemplating a small issue for days or hours.
Researchers have discovered that those suffering from RSD might have a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's response to threats and is activated more than other individuals when they feel rejected. It is also believed that those who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have experienced trauma in their childhood that can have lasting impacts on their emotional development. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in the adult years. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring such as depression or anxiety can also influence RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
Many people who suffer from ADHD develop the disorder during their childhood, and almost always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. Symptoms tend to persist throughout adulthood it is true that women with the disorder may have trouble at work or school at home, as well as in relationships. They can also experience anxiety, depression or other substance use disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem and confidence and they could blame themselves for their problems by thinking of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women who suffer from ADHD are viewed. Boys who suffer from the condition generally exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to spot, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms may be accused of being daydreamy or hyperactive. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely to be afflicted by mood disorders and anxiety than those who suffer from the condition. They might also attempt to hide their symptoms using strategies for coping that are more prevalent for the gender that they identify with. This can make it difficult for others to see that they are suffering.
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 behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. They may not seek help until it's too late.