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Many women and girls who have ADHD are misdiagnosed, or are not diagnosed, due to the fact that their symptoms differ from men's. For example, they may experience more emotional volatility or have a harder time regulating their emotions.
Finding a clinician or therapist who is knowledgeable about ADHD in women can make a huge difference in turning your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD in adults could include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, missing deadlines at work, and struggling to stay focused during meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers often experience "time blindness," which is when they forget to count the minutes or get so caught up in their work that they lose track of time. This can result in feelings of being unorganized and unprepared, or perhaps irresponsible.
Women with inattention ADHD are able in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive an assessment. They may have learned to compensate for their inability to keep track of things through strategies for coping such as self-denial or relying on others or resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive drinking or drug use.
They may not even notice that they're having a problem until they realize that they have a problem. They may have a long list of embarrassing instances where they embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They might also struggle to keep their apartments and homes neat and tidy and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
If left untreated and undiagnosed, the signs of inattention ADHD can have a devastating effect on virtually every area of their lives. They might miss out on social and professional events because they weren't invited. In addition, they may not be able to pay their bills or respond to phone calls from friends promptly. They might rush through a test, or fail to follow instructions at work, or make careless errors in their relationships. They begin to think that they are stupid or lazy, and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to fidget in their seats, talk excessively, or squirm. They also have difficulty paying attention to the words of others and frequently interrupt or make statements without thinking about the consequences. 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 insolent or a lack of comprehension, but rather a biologically-based imbalance in the frontal lobes of the brain (Tripp & Wickens, 2009).
Those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or lose keys than other. This kind of ADHD can also cause people to lose track of important information like bills or work assignments. They are often unable to remember or lose eyeglasses and other items like keys, wallets or school supplies and sports equipment. They often have difficulty keeping a job and often start projects, but don't finish their work.
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is especially true if they have suffered for years under the false assumption that they are incompetent or lazy due to their procrastination, disorganization, and impulsive behavior.
Stress, other mental health disorders, and physical ailments can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. This is why your health care provider should conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. They may request your permission to speak with family members, friends, coworkers, teachers, and others who know you well to learn about your past and present behaviour and experiences. They could also administer 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 take a breath, particularly when you are stressed. You might feel the need to take action and tackle a problem even when you should be patient and plan your actions. This can lead to issues at work, at school, or in your relationships. You might also have issues with your finances, driving, or managing your home.
Women are often having a harder time getting diagnosed with ADHD than men because their symptoms aren't as obvious. They may cover up their symptoms by claiming to be being trustworthy and diligent. This could give them the impression that they are in control, and permit people to dismiss them as a child with a problem or an emotionally overly sensitive woman or a perfectionist. In the end, a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD can cause 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 at work as well as at home and interfere with your ability to function.
You may find it difficult to complete work or school assignments and appear disorganized and forgetful. You have a hard time waiting in line or sat for long periods of time. You find it difficult to concentrate when reading or working on a computer, or doing chores. You might prefer a different approach to the monotony of your day and you might delay or skip tasks in order to avoid them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD are a part of anxiety, restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are generally not present in these disorders. The symptoms of ADHD can fluctuate as you age, and are exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopausal and prenatal.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme negative emotions and difficulty in regulating emotions. It can cause emotional turmoil and influences every aspect of life. People who are sensitive to rejection experience more acute reactions to social cues that may be perceived as rejection compared to other people. They may experience feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether real or perceived. It is a typical sign for people suffering from ADHD and Autism however it may co-occur in those without these conditions as well.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, leading to impulsive behaviors and trouble managing relationships. It can also cause people to be cautious about taking risks, which may limit their career as well as personal development. For some, it can even cause the complete loss of self-esteem and a feeling of depression. RSD can also exacerbate and increase the severity of core ADHD symptoms like time blindness. This can cause problems with planning and organisation as well as wasting time on unimportant tasks. RSD can also cause issues with attention and focus span. People with RSD may ruminate on an incident for hours or even days.
Researchers have discovered that those who suffer from RSD might 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 experience rejection. People with rejection sensitivity may also have experienced childhood trauma which can have a long-lasting impact on their emotional development. This makes people more sensitive to rejection, criticism and abandonment as adults. Mental health disorders that co-occur such as anxiety or depression can also influence RSD by impacting emotional regulation.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
ADHD is often diagnosed in the early years of childhood. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 12. The symptoms can last until the age of adulthood. This means that women with the disorder may be unable to cope with problems at school, work as well as in relationships. They might also be suffering from anxiety, depression, or other addiction disorders. Undiagnosed ADHD can negatively impact women's self esteem. They may blame themselves, thinking they are "lazy", "irresponsible" or "stupid".
Gender bias is a factor in how women and girls who suffer from ADHD are perceived. The majority of boys with ADHD exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for teachers and parents to spot, whereas girls who exhibit the same symptoms may be accused of daydreaming or being anxious. This makes it difficult for them to get the help that they need.
Furthermore, girls with the disorder are more likely suffer from mood disorders and anxiety as compared to boys who suffer from the disorder. They may also be 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 more difficult for others to realize that they are suffering from an issue.
Some women suffering from ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in 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 help until it's too late.