Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Adult ADHD Symptoms
Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms manifest differently than males. For instance, they might have more emotional instability or have difficulty regulating their emotions.
Finding a therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make a huge difference in transforming your unique challenges into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might have difficulty keeping the track of their household chores and appointments and may miss deadlines at work and find it difficult to remain focussed during meetings. It is also common for those with inattention ADHD to experience a concept called "time blindness," meaning that they often forget what time it is or get so caught up in their task that they lose track of how long it has taken. This can result in feelings like being disorganized or behind, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are able at hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to get an assessment. They might have learned to compensate for their inability to remain organized by employing coping strategies such as self-denial or relying on others, and even resorting unhealthy behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use.
As a result, their difficulties with focus and organization may be overlooked by other people until they start to notice their own issues. They may have a list of embarrassing incidents in which they've embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes neat and tidy 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 almost every aspect of their lives. They might miss out on social events and professional opportunities because they aren't invited, or fail to pay bills or answer phone calls from friends in a timely manner. They may rush through a test or misunderstand instructions in the workplace or make a mistake in their relationships with others. At some point, they believe that they are lazy or stupid and are plagued by low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. signs and symptoms of adhd in women can cause people to fumble in their seats, talk excessively, or squirm. They aren't able to pay attention to what others are saying. They frequently interrupt or make statements that they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and tend to become bored by tasks that don't interest them. The behavior isn't caused by a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding it is a biological abnormality in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
Those who have inattention ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than other. This subtype of ADHD can cause people to lose track of important information such as bills or work assignments. They frequently forget or lose their wallets, eyeglasses, keys, sports equipment, and/or school supplies. They often have difficulty keeping an occupation and often start projects, but do not finish the work.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially relevant if the person has been misled for a long time into thinking they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination and disorderly behavior.
Mental disorders, stress, and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care provider will have to conduct an exhaustive examination to determine the root cause of the symptoms and then determine the most effective treatment. They might ask your permission to talk with family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, and others who know you well to learn about your current and past behaviour and experiences. They may also administer psychological tests like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders or the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Index.
3. Impulsivity
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it hard to stop and take a deep breath, especially when things get stressful. It is possible to feel compelled take action and tackle a problem even though you ought to be patient and plan your actions. This type of impulsivity can cause trouble with work, schoolwork and relationships. There are also add symptoms in adult women with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women often have a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men because their symptoms aren't as obvious. They may conceal their problems behind appearances of being trustworthy, reliable, and well-organized. This can give them the impression that they are in control and allows others to dismiss them easily as a troubled child or a woman who is too emotional or an over-achiever. This can lead to an undiagnosed lifetime of 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 must be evident in two different environments, like at home and at work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to finish assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You might have trouble waiting in line, sitting down or staying focused while reading or working on your computer, or performing household chores. You may prefer novelty over the routine and may delay or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD are a part of anxiety, frustration, restlessness and forgetfulness are generally not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD change as you age and are made worse by hormonal changes like those that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition which is characterized by extreme negative feelings and difficulty in controlling emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of daily life. People with rejection sensitivity feel more acute reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection, compared to other people. They may feel anxiety, self-esteem issues, and emotional dysregulation when faced with rejection, either real or perceived. It is a typical sign for people suffering from ADHD and Autism, but it can co-occur in those without these conditions as well.
RSD can cause an inability to set personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which can restrict their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could even lead to 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 problems in planning and organisation, as well being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. It can also cause difficulties focusing and attention span, and those suffering from RSD may be stuck contemplating a small issue for days or hours.
Research suggests that people with RSD may have a brain impairment in 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 feel rejected. It is also believed that those who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have suffered from childhood trauma, which can leave lasting effects on their emotional development. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment in the adult years. Co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD suffer from the disorder in the earliest years of their lives, and they nearly always get a diagnosis prior to age 12. The symptoms can last well into adulthood. This means that women who suffer from the disorder can continue to have problems at work, school, home and in relationships. They can also struggle with depression, compulsive overeating or addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can take a toll on self-esteem of women and they could blame themselves for their issues by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in the way that girls and women who suffer from ADHD are viewed. Teachers and parents are more likely to observe excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They may also be more likely to try to mask their symptoms using coping strategies that are typical of the gender they identify with, which may make it harder for others to realize that they have a problem.
Some women suffering from ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use, especially during the adolescent years. They may not seek assistance until it's too late.