13 Things About Adult ADHD Symptoms You May Not Know
Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from men's. They might experience more emotional volatility, or a hard time controlling their emotions.
Finding symptoms of add or a therapist who understands ADHD in women can make all the difference in turning your individual difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattention ADHD may have difficulty keeping the track of their schedules and household chores, miss deadlines at work and struggle to stay focused during meetings. Inattentive ADHD sufferers often experience "time blindness," which is when they forget the time or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of time. This can cause feelings of being disorganized, behind or irresponsible.
Women with inattentive ADHD are able in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might have learned to compensate for their trouble staying organized by using coping tools like self-denial, relying on others, or using unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
They might not even realize that they're having a problem until they begin to recognize it themselves. adhd symptoms women may have a long list of foot-in-mouth moments that have embarrassed friends or colleagues, or struggle to keep their homes and apartments clean and organized and are overwhelmed by the volume of work they have to complete.
If untreated and not diagnosed, the signs of inattention ADHD can wreak havoc on virtually every area of their lives. They may miss out on social and professional events because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills or return friends' phone calls in a timely fashion. They may rush through a test or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless mistakes in their personal relationships. At some point, they believe they are incompetent or foolish, and struggle with low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
People with hyperactive ADHD might fidget, shake their seats, or talk a lot. They have difficulty paying attention to what other people are talking about. They often interrupt or make statements they don't have the time to think about. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to become bored with tasks that don't interest them. This behavior isn't triggered by a desire for being insolent or a lack of comprehension it is a result of a biological imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments occasionally, those who have inattentive ADHD are more likely to do this often. People with this subtype of ADHD also tend to lose the track of important information, such as work or bills. 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 never finish the work.
Many adults with ADHD feel more confident about themselves after their symptoms have been controlled. This is especially true if the person has been misled for years to believe that they are irresponsible or lazy because of their procrastination and disorderly behavior.
Stress, other mental health disorders, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD. This is why the health professional must do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify effective treatment options. They may request your permission to speak with family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and other individuals who know you well to find out about your present and previous behavior and experiences. They could also conduct psychological tests, such as 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 becomes stressful. You may feel compelled to jump in and tackle something even though you should be patient and plan your actions. This type of impulsivity can cause problems at work, in school, or in relationships. There are also issues 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 cover up their symptoms by claiming to be being trustworthy and diligent. This could create a false impression that they're in control and allows others to dismiss them as a troubled child or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or an over-achiever. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can severely damage 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 interfere with your ability function.
It can be difficult to complete assignments or work and seem unorganized and forgetful. You might find it difficult to wait in line, sitting still or staying focused while reading or working on your computer, or doing household chores. You may prefer novelty over the routine and you might delay or skip tasks to avoid them. While ADHD has some symptom similarities with anxiety disorders restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not usually present. adhd symptoms women of ADHD can fluctuate as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like during pregnancy and menopause.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity (RSD) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty regulating emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect a variety of aspects of daily life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more acute reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection, compared to others. When they face rejection - real or perceived, they could be afflicted with shame, low self esteem and emotional dysregulation. This is a common sign of someone suffering from ADHD or Autism, but may also be present in people who do not suffer from these conditions.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also make people avoid taking risks, which can limit their career as well as personal growth. It can cause depression and self-esteem issues for some. RSD is also known to cause and amplify core ADHD symptoms, such as time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation as well as the inability to focus time on unimportant tasks. It can also result in difficulties in focusing and attention span, and people with RSD may be stuck ruminating on a slight for days or hours.
Researchers have discovered that those suffering from RSD may 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, activates more than other people when they experience rejection. It is also believed that people who feel a sensitivity to rejection might have suffered from childhood trauma which could have lasting impacts on their emotional development. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment in the adult years. Mental health disorders that co-occur such as anxiety or depression can also affect RSD by impacting emotional regulation.
5. Gender-specific Behaviors that are Typical of a Genre
ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It's almost always diagnosed before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms tend to persist well into adulthood. This means that women with the disorder may continue to have problems at school, work at home, and in relationships. They might also be suffering from depression, compulsive eating, or addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on women's self-esteem, and they may blame themselves for their issues by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a role in how girls and women with ADHD are perceived. Teachers and parents are more likely to be aware of excessive behavior in boys suffering from ADHD, whereas girls might be accused of daydreaming. This makes it difficult for them to receive the assistance they require.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely suffer from mood disorders and anxiety than boys with the condition. They may also try to conceal their symptoms by using methods of coping that are more typical for the gender they identify with. This could make it difficult for others to see that they have a problem.
Some women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress a certain way to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviours such as excessive alcohol or drug use, particularly during the adolescent stage. This means that they might not seek out the help they require until it's too late.