adhd adult symptoms 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 from men's. For instance, they could have more emotional instability or have trouble managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make a an enormous difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in adults may include having trouble keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, ignoring deadlines at work, and battling to concentrate during meetings. Inattentional ADHD sufferers frequently suffer from "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or become so absorbed in their work that they forget about time. This can cause feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are especially adept at hiding their symptoms, which may make it more difficult to get a diagnosis. They might have learned to cope with their inability to remain organized through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on others, and even resorting unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or using drugs.
In the end, their difficulties in focusing and organization can be overlooked by other people until they realize their own problems. They may have a list of embarrassing incidents in which they embarrassed their colleagues or friends. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes neat and tidy and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
If left untreated and undiagnosed, the symptoms of inattentive ADHD can cause havoc in the entirety of their lives. They might miss out on professional and social opportunities due to the fact that they weren't invited. They might also not pay their bills on time or return friends' phone calls promptly. They may be rushed through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or commit naive mistakes in their relationships with others. At some point, they believe that they are lazy or stupid, and struggle with low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD can fidget, squirm in their seats, or talk too much. 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 tend to become bored with tasks that do not interest them. The behavior is not caused by a desire to appear aggressive or lack of understanding 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 lose keys than other people. People with this subtype of ADHD also have a tendency to lose all important information, such as work or bills. They frequently forget or lose eyeglasses and other items like keys, wallets and school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They often have difficulty keeping a job and often start projects, but do not complete them.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD find themselves feeling better about themselves once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have been suffering for a long time with the false assumption that they are unreliable or lazy because of their procrastination, indecisiveness, and disorganization.
Stress, mental health issues, and physical ailments can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. A healthcare professional will have to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine the source of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They might ask your consent to speak with your family members, colleagues and teachers to get more information about your previous and current behavior. They could 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 deep breath, especially when things get stressful. You may feel compelled to jump in and tackle something even though you ought to take your time and plan your actions. This impulsivity may lead to issues at work, at school, or with relationships. You may also have problems with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder to be diagnosed with ADHD than men, as their symptoms are less obvious. They may conceal their problems under the pretense of being a reliable, diligent and organized. This could create a false impression that they are in control and allows others to dismiss them easily as a child with a problem, an overly emotional woman or a perfectionist. This can lead to 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 should be evident in two different environments, such as at home and work, and interfere with your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to complete homework or school assignments, and look disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in lines or staying still for long periods of time. You have trouble staying focused while reading or working on a computer or performing chores. You like the novelty of the daily grind and may find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off doing them. Although ADHD shares some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD vary with age and are exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that are experienced during menopausal pregnancy or menopausal menopausal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of everyday life. People who are sensitive to rejection have 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, either real or perceived. This is a typical sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism however it may also be present in people without these conditions.
RSD can cause uncontrollable behavior and relationship issues. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which could restrict their career as well as personal growth. For some, it could cause the complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to cause and amplify the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organisation, as well being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. RSD can also cause issues with focus and attention span. People with RSD may ruminate on an incident for several hours or even for days.
Research suggests that people with RSD might have a brain impairment that affects the processing of emotional information. This could be due to the fact that the amygdala (which is responsible for the body's threat response) is activated more frequently when people feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could have also experienced trauma in their childhood that can have a lasting influence on their emotional development. They may be more sensitive to criticism, rejection, and abandonment in adulthood. RSD can be affected by co-occurring mental disorders like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always have a diagnosis before the age of 12. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood. This means that women with the disorder can remain troubled at work, school as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating disorders, or substance abuse disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women's self-esteem. They may be tempted to blame themselves, believing that they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias plays a role in the way that women and girls are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Boys who suffer from the condition generally exhibit hyperactive behaviors that are easy for teachers and parents to observe, while girls with the same symptoms might be accused of daydreaming or anxious. This makes it more difficult for them to get the help they need.
Girls with this disorder are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety and other mood disorders. They can also be more likely to try to mask their symptoms employing strategies for coping that are typical of the gender they identify with, which may make it difficult for others to recognize that they are suffering from an issue.
Some women with ADHD might use a lot of makeup or dress a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behavior such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.