12 Companies Leading The Way In Adult ADHD Symptoms
Adult ADHD Symptoms Women and Girls May Not Know About
Many girls and women with ADHD go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis because their symptoms manifest differently than men's. For instance, they might experience more emotional volatility or have trouble regulating their emotions.
Finding a therapist or a clinician who understands ADHD and women can make an enormous difference in transforming your unique difficulties into strengths.
1. Inattentiveness
Inattention-related symptoms in ADHD for adults can include difficulty keeping on top of household and appointment tasks, not meeting 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 get so caught up in their work that they forget about time. This can result in feelings like being disorganized and unorganized, or even irresponsible.
Women who have inattention ADHD can be particularly adept in obscuring their symptoms. This makes it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may have learned to overcome their trouble staying organized by using coping tools like self-denial, relying upon others, or even resorting to unhealthy behaviors like excessive alcohol or substance abuse.
This is why their issues in focusing and organization can go unnoticed by others until they start to notice their own issues. They might have a list of embarrassing moments where they embarrassed their friends or coworkers. They may also struggle to keep their apartment and homes clean and organized and feel overwhelmed by their workload.
Undiagnosed and untreated symptoms of inattentive ADHD can negatively impact nearly every aspect of their life. They may miss out on social and professional events due to the fact that they weren't invited. In addition, they may not pay their bills on time or return friends' phone calls in a timely fashion. They might rush through a test or not understand instructions in the workplace or commit a few blunders in their relationships with others. They start to believe that they are lazy or stupid and suffer from low self-esteem.
2. Hyperactivity
Hyperactive ADHD can cause people to flutter in their seats, talk excessively or be squirming. They also have difficulty paying attention to what others are saying, and often interrupt or make statements without thinking about their implications. They are easily distracted and bored by tasks which do not entice them. The behavior isn't triggered by a desire for defiance or a lack of understanding and is due to a biological imbalance in frontal lobes (Tripp & Wickens 2009).
Those with inattentive ADHD are more likely to forget appointments or misplace keys than other. People with this subtype of ADHD also have a tendency to lose all important information, such as work or bills. They often lose or forget their wallets, eyeglasses keys, sports equipment and/or school supplies. They often struggle to hold their jobs and often begin projects, but do not finish them.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD report that they feel more confident once their symptoms are under control. This is particularly true if the person has been misled for a number of years into thinking they are incompetent or lazy because of their procrastination and indecisiveness.
Stress, mental health disorders, and physical illnesses can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD. A healthcare professional will have to conduct an extensive examination to identify the cause of the symptoms and then determine the most effective treatment. They may request your permission to speak to family members, coworkers and teachers to learn more about your past and current behavior. 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 difficult to take a breath, particularly when things are stressful. You may feel compelled to jump in and tackle something even though you ought to take your time and plan your actions. what are symptoms of adhd in adults may lead to issues at work, at school, or in 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 might appear to being dependable and conscientious. This can give them the impression that they're in control, and permit people to dismiss them as a problem child, an overly emotional woman or a perfectionist. Undiagnosed ADHD over a lifetime can seriously 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 must be present at work as well as at home, and they can hinder your ability to function.
You may have a difficult to complete school or work tasks and are often seen as unorganized and disorganized. You have trouble waiting in line or sat for long periods of time. You are unable to stay focused when reading or working on a computer, or doing chores. You prefer novelty to the daily grind and may find yourself avoiding tasks or putting off completing them. While the inattention and impulsivity that are characteristic of ADHD are a part of anxiety, feelings of restlessness, fidgeting and forgetfulness are usually not present in these conditions. The symptoms of ADHD change as we age and are often exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopausal or pregnancy.
4. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a psychological disorder that is characterized by extreme negative feelings and a difficulty in controlling emotions. It can trigger emotional turmoil and impact many aspects of daily life. People with rejection sensitivity feel more intense reactions to social signals that could be perceived as rejection, compared to others. They may feel shame, low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation when confronted with rejection, whether real or perceived. It is a common symptom for people with ADHD and Autism, but it can be present in people without these conditions as well.
RSD can lead to an inability to set personal boundaries, which leads to impulsive behaviors and difficulties managing relationships. It can also cause people to avoid risk-taking, limiting their career as well as personal growth. For some, it may even cause a complete loss of self-esteem as well as a feeling of depression. RSD is also known to cause and increase the severity of the most fundamental ADHD symptoms, like time blindness. This can result in issues with planning and organization and also being a waste of time doing things that aren't important. RSD can also cause issues with attention and focus span. People suffering from RSD might be prone to ruminating on the slightest thing for several hours or even for days.
Research suggests that people suffering from RSD might have a brain impairment in the processing of emotional information. This could be because the amygdala brain, which is responsible for the body's threat response and is activated more than other people when they feel rejected. People who have sensitivity to rejection could also have experienced childhood trauma that can have a lasting impact on their emotional growth. They may be more prone to criticism, rejection, and abandonment as they grow older. RSD can be influenced by co-occurring mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.
5. Gender Atypical Behaviors
Many people with ADHD develop the condition during childhood, and they almost always get a diagnosis prior to the age of 12. The symptoms can last throughout adulthood. This means that women with the disorder may be unable to cope with problems at work, school, home and in relationships. They may also be struggling with anxiety, depression or addiction disorders. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be a drain on self-esteem of women and they could blame themselves for their issues by imagining themselves as "lazy," "irresponsible," or "stupid."
Gender bias plays a part in the way women and girls are perceived when they display ADHD symptoms. Boys with the condition typically exhibit hyperactive behavior that is easy for teachers and parents to notice, whereas girls with the same symptoms might be accused of being daydreamy or flighty. This makes it harder for them to receive the help that they need.
Girls who suffer from the disorder are also more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mood disorders. They are also more likely to to mask their symptoms by employing strategies for coping that are typical for the gender they identify with, which may make it difficult for others to recognize that they have an issue.
Women with ADHD may use a lot makeup or dress in a certain manner to conceal their symptoms. They may also engage in risky behaviors such as excessive alcohol or drug use, especially during the adolescent stage. They might not seek assistance until it's too late.