Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from males. They may experience more emotional instability or a hard time controlling their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty keeping on top of their schedules and household chores, miss deadlines at work and struggle to stay focussed during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers frequently 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 cause feelings like being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD can be particularly adept in hiding their symptoms. This can make it difficult to obtain an assessment. They may have learned how to make up for their inability to stay organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on other people or resorting to unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or using drugs.
They might not even realize that they have a problem until they start to realize it for themselves. They may have a 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.
If untreated and not diagnosed, the signs of inattention ADHD can cause havoc in the entirety of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social events because they aren't invited, or fail to pay their bills or return friend's phone calls in a timely manner. They might be rushed through a test, misunderstand instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their personal relationships. They begin to think that they are stupid or lazy and have low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can fidget, squirm in their seat, and talk too much. They have difficulty paying attention to what others are talking about. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't consider. They are easily distracted and bored by tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent 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).
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than others. This kind of ADHD can cause people to lose track important information such as bills or work assignments. They frequently lose or forget their eyeglasses, wallets, keys, sports equipment, and/or school materials. They have difficulty maintaining an occupation, and often begin projects that never finish.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD say they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time under the false impression that they are lazy or irresponsible due to their procrastination, disordered behavior, and impulsive behaviors.
Stress, mental disorders and physical illness can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. A doctor will have to conduct an extensive examination to determine the source of the symptoms, and to determine the most effective treatment. They might ask your permission to speak to your family members, colleagues and teachers to find out 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 hard to take a breath, especially when things are stressful. You may be compelled by your ADHD to tackle a problem, even though you should plan and be patient. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or in your relationships. You may also experience problems with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because the symptoms of ADHD are less apparent. They might hide their issues by presenting themselves as reliable, diligent and well-organized. This can give them the impression that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them as a problem child or a woman who is too emotional or a perfectionist. As a result, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can do 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 must be present in two different settings such as at home and work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You might have a hard time following through with work or school tasks and are often seen as unorganized and disorganized. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sat down or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or doing household chores. You may want to be more creative than the daily grind, and you may procrastinate or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as menopausal and prenatal.
4. adhd symptoms in women (RSD) is mental health disorder that is which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in controlling emotions. It causes emotional turbulence and influences the way we live our lives. People who have sensitivity to rejection experience more intense reactions than others to social cues, which could be perceived as rejection. When they are faced with rejection - whether real or perceived, they could be afflicted with shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a common characteristic of people suffering from ADHD or Autism however 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 which can limit their career and personal development. For some, it could even cause an entire loss of self-esteem and a sense of depression. RSD can also exacerbate and amplify the primary ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can lead to issues with planning and organisation as well as the inability to focus time on irrelevant tasks. RSD can also cause issues with attention and focus span. People with RSD might be prone to ruminating on an incident for hours or even days.
Researchers have found that people with RSD might have a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the amygdala, responsible for the body's threat response is more active 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, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. This could make them more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment when they are adults. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
Many people suffering from ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always get a diagnosis prior to age 12. The symptoms are likely to last until the age of adulthood. This means that women with the disorder can continue to have problems at work, school at home, and in relationships. adhd symptoms for women might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating disorders, or other addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem and confidence 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 perceived. Teachers and parents are more likely to observe excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of a daydream. This makes it harder for them to get the help they need.
Girls who suffer from the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also be more likely to try to mask their symptoms using coping strategies that are typical for the gender they identify with, which could make it harder for others to see they have a problem.
For example, some women with ADHD may wear lots of makeup or dress in a certain manner to hide their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviors like drinking excessively or drug use, particularly during the adolescent years. They might not seek help until it's too late.