The underlying symptoms of ADHD are common for everyone. However both female and male ADHD brains respond to them differently.
From unrestrained anger to emotional setbacks, men often mentally travel through separate patterns and pressure points.
That said, these patterns don’t apply to all men (some women have them too). However, identifying the commonalities can help arrive at more meaningful solutions. Let’s have a quick look at the ADHD symptoms in males and the ensuing effects.
Overblown Emotional Reactions
An ADHD male can struggle with emotional dysregulation. This is especially true for anger outbursts that might have little to do with the cause. In most cases, men don’t seem to be aware of their raging emotional responses. This makes them seem insensitive to their spouse or others.
ADHD’s external symptoms are more prominent in males. As they get older, hyperactivity tends to subside – but the impulsivity remains. It is this impulsivity that explains the tendency for males to lean more toward addiction.
Dodging Conflicts
Men experience the repercussions of a conflict in a very intense manner. They find it hard to keep their cool and their blood pressure continues to peak even after the conflict ends.
Since conflict seems excessively taxing, men usually tend to avoid it altogether. Many men are constantly critiqued for their incompetency at home or work.
Shame Sprouting from Work Fiascos
Men largely tend to define themselves by the work they do. ADHD symptoms in males can cause a fair amount of work problems. From not fitting in the workspace to constant job quitting escapades – an ADHD male often copes with feelings of shame, sadness, and low self-esteem resulting from employment issues.
Difficulty with Diagnosis
Men are often diagnosed with ADHD early in their lives, with at least one parent managing their symptoms for them. When they reach young adulthood, they are often in “shock,” without someone managing their symptoms, creating a consistent schedule, and advocating for them. With the structure in their life gone, it becomes difficult to manage their symptoms. Through the help of ADHD coaching, young men can find that balance again – navigating their symptoms and learn how to create the balance they so desperately need in their life again.
Final Words
After taking a dive into the ADHD mechanism in a male brain, the next obvious thing would be to explore ADHD from a female vantage point.
Did you know the rate of ADHD diagnosis in women is just 3.2% compared to 5.4% in men? The culprit involves the symptoms that manifest differently in both genders. Go over “part two” of this blog see the ADHD mechanism in a female brain!
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