Published on
Updated
Reading 3 min.
in collaboration with
Johanna Rozenblum (clinical psychologist)
Our knowledge of attention disorder is growing over the years, particularly in children. But it also exists in adults. In women, there are some subtle signs that can put you on the right path.
ADHD, for attention disorder with or without hyperactivity, is a disorder that is increasingly diagnosed in our children. With a redundant question: what about parents and therefore adults? Because yes, this disorder does not disappear over the years. However, it is more or less well managed. And the signs differ in men and women, which we gradually become aware of.
A boy’s disorder? Really ?
“ADHD used to be a diagnostic category dominated by overly energetic boys,” declared Madison Perry, American psychologist in the Huffpost. In fact, according to Medical News Today, boys are approximately three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. But this gap could well be closed little by little. More and more girls and women are being diagnosed with ADHD because the information is spreading. And the main symptom would not be turbulence as one might think, “probably because of the social pressures inflicted on women” confirms the psychologist. But what are the signs to spot if you suffer from ADHD?
7 symptoms found in adult women
Difficulty concentrating on single tasks
Rather than the hyperactivity and impulse control issues seen in boys, ADHD tends to manifest in women as greater inattention and difficulty concentrating and completing tasks. Your mind may feel like it can’t focus on a task, especially one that you don’t find interesting.
Hyper-concentration on certain subjects or situations
It’s also not uncommon for people with ADHD to focus too much on certain topics while having difficulty focusing on others. Your brain is only interested in the one thing you do. Which can lead to many questions: “If I can focus on this one thing, which is really compelling, why can’t I focus on the missions my boss gave me?”
Thoughts that flow
In women, impulsivity is characterized more by cognitive hyperactivity than physical. These are thoughts that can go at full speed and therefore again the impression of having difficulty concentrating on a single subject.
Difficulty maintaining friendships
Women with ADHD may also have difficulty maintaining friendships. This doesn’t mean it’s difficult to make friends, but rather to keep those friendships active. For women with ADHD, sending a text message or calling a friend can be an added difficulty when you are already emotionally exhausted by your day.
Hyperemotionality
It’s also common for people with ADHD to experience emotional dysregulation, which is even more common in women. “ADHD brains are very prone to feeling very strong emotions very frequently, and so they are more likely to feel their emotions in a way that seems disproportionate to the outside world in relation to the event”establishes the professional.
A person who talks a lot
Excessive talking can be another sign of ADHD in women, as can reacting impulsively in a conversation or even interrupting other people while they are talking
A diagnosis more difficult to establish in women
Consulted on the subject, our psychologist Johanna Rozenblum confirms all of the symptoms mentioned, but qualifies the statement. These are not always easy to perceive.
“Because of what we teach girls and young women, the diagnosis is more difficult to establish in women, because they have generally learned to compensate for attention difficulties and have developed more mechanisms, resources, to compensate for this lack In addition, there is less hyperactivity among girls than among boys, so it is less visible even though we know that today there are as many little boys and girls. who are affected. Women therefore often notice it late.
Better late than never, however, the professionals seem to say. If you recognize yourself in the different symptoms, and you feel overwhelmed by this disorder, even adult support can help you move forward.