add symptoms in women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because their symptoms are different from men's. For instance, they might be more emotionally volatile or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Finding a therapist or clinician who is knowledgeable of ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in transforming your unique problems into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Adults with inattentive ADHD may have difficulty keeping on top of their household chores and appointments, miss deadlines at work and have trouble staying focussed during meetings. It's also common for people who suffer from inattention ADHD to experience a condition called "time blindness," meaning that they often forget what time it is or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of the amount of time that has passed. This can cause feelings like being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD can be particularly adept in hiding their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to stay organised by using coping methods like self-denial, relying upon others, and even engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse.
As a result, their struggles with focus and organization may go unnoticed by other people until they start to notice their own problems. They may have a list of embarrassing foot-in-mouth incidents that have embarrassed family members 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 left untreated and undiagnosed, the symptoms of inattentive ADHD can wreak havoc on virtually every area of their lives. They may miss out on professional and social opportunities because they weren't invited. They might also not pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends in a timely fashion. They may rush through a test or not understand instructions in the workplace or make a mistake in their relationships. Eventually, they begin to think that they are stupid or lazy, and struggle with low self-esteem and confidence.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively or shake their heads. They also have trouble paying attentively to what others are saying, and frequently interrupt or make statements without thinking about their consequences. They are easily distracted by other stimuli and have a tendency to become bored with things that don't appeal to them. This behavior isn't due to a desire for defiance or a lack of comprehension, but a biologically based abnormality in the frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
While everyone loses keys or forgets to make appointments at times those with inattentive ADHD do it far more often. This subtype of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information, such as bills or work assignments. They often forget or lose eyeglasses as well as other things like keys, wallets and school supplies such as sports equipment, etc. They are often unable to keep a job, and they often begin projects that never end.
Many adults with ADHD feel more confident at being themselves once their symptoms have been managed. This is especially true if the person has been misled for a long time into believing that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination and disorganization.
Stress, mental disorders and physical illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. A health care provider will have to conduct a thorough evaluation in order to determine the root cause of the symptoms and determine effective treatments. They might ask your permission to speak to family members, coworkers and teachers to get more information about your past and present behavior. They could also administer psychological tests, like the Rotterdam Test for Attention Disorders and the Beck Cognitive Abnormality Inventory.
3. Impulsivity
Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to stop and take a deep breath, especially when things get stressful. It is possible to feel compelled jump in and tackle something even when you should take your time and plan your actions. This can lead to difficulties with schoolwork, work, and relationships. You may also have problems with finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because their symptoms tend to be less obvious. They can hide behind the appearance of being trustworthy and diligent. This can create an illusion of security, and make it easier for others to view them as a problem-child, emotionally overly sensitive, 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 should be present at work as well as at home, and can affect your ability function.
You might have a hard to complete school or work tasks and often appear forgetful and disorganized. You may have difficulty waiting in line, sat down or staying focused when reading, working on the computer, or doing household chores. You like the novelty of the routine and could be prone to skipping tasks or procrastinating to avoid them. While ADHD shares some symptoms with anxiety disorders such as restlessness, fidgeting, and forgetfulness are not usually present. The symptoms of ADHD fluctuate with age and are exacerbated by hormonal changes like those that are experienced during menopausal pregnancy or menopausal menopausal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and affect many aspects of everyday life. People with sensitivity to rejection feel more emotional reactions to social cues which could be perceived as rejection than other people. When they experience rejection, whether it is real or perceived, they could be afflicted with shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. This is a typical symptom of people with ADHD or Autism, but can also happen to those without these conditions.
RSD can cause a lack of personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behavior and difficulty managing relationships. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, which may limit their personal and professional growth. For some, it can even cause a complete loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD can also exacerbate and intensify the primary ADHD symptoms such as time blindness. This can result in issues with organisation and planning, as well as wasting time on irrelevant tasks. It can also cause difficulties focusing and attention span, and people with RSD are prone to thinking about a minor issue for days or hours.
Researchers have found that people suffering from RSD may have a brain disorder that affects the way they process emotional information. This could be due to the fact that the amygdala (which is responsible for the body's threat response) is more active when people perceive rejection. adhd symptoms in women who have sensitivity to rejection could have also experienced trauma in their childhood which can have a long-lasting impact on their emotional growth. They could be more sensitive to criticism, rejection and abandonment as they grow older. Other mental health disorders that are co-occurring like depression or anxiety can also affect RSD by affecting the regulation of emotions.
5. Gender-specific behaviors that are gender specific
ADHD is usually 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 suffering from the disorder may continue to have problems at work, school at home, and in relationships. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, or addiction disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on self-esteem and confidence and they could blame themselves for their issues because they think of themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias is a factor in the way girls and women are perceived when they exhibit ADHD symptoms. Parents and teachers are more likely to notice the hyperactivity of boys with ADHD, whereas girls could be accused of a daydream. This makes it difficult for them to receive the help they need.
Furthermore, girls who have the disorder are more likely to suffer from mood disorders and anxiety as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They are also more likely to try to mask their symptoms using strategies to cope that are typical of the gender they identify with, which can make it difficult for others to realize that they are suffering from an issue.
Some women with ADHD may wear a lot of makeup or dress in a particular way to conceal their symptoms. They might also engage in risky behaviors like drinking excessively or using drugs, especially in the adolescent stage. They might not seek help until it's too late.