ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men as well as women, however, societal expectations and gender roles can make it difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women are also more adept in minimizing their symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of the most frequent untreated adhd females.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and people who were assigned females at birth are not yet diagnosed with ADHD. This is in part because women's symptoms are more often inattentive than those of the hyperactive/impulsive type, which make them less likely to get referred for assessment and treatment.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are a lack of organization or on track, ignoring important appointments or things, and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. adhd treatment for adults medication can also be hard for women with this disorder to sit down and concentrate on assignments or other tasks at work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD often attempt to hide their symptoms. People may not understand their behavior, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in relationships. In the workplace, it can cause problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may find it difficult to manage their issues at home as well as in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to stay afloat while they manage their tasks and strive to meet the goals they have set for themselves.
In addition to having difficulty in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may feel isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. adhd treatment for adults medication makes them more prone to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. As a result, they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those without the condition. Women can feel empowered after receiving a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. However, getting a diagnosis requires that she first consult an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently have a hard working through tasks at work and managing their schedule. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork or use productivity apps to help stay on task. These apps can be helpful, but they cannot replace the need for good organization skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their homes and families which requires a certain level of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame in women with ADHD who are trying to meet those demands and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Time management issues can result in frustration in relationships both professional and personal. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimating the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late to meetings or other commitments. If you are frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and get moving.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to stay focused and cut down on distractions. Watching news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts can be an alternative to music while working. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, consider switching to a car with manual transmission. You may also want consider driving without your cellphone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
A mental health professional can assist you to find the best treatment and coping strategy for ADHD. Treatment options can include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate therapy according to your health issues and the current circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also seek couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication between your family members.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than men. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, and this can cause a variety of unhealthy behaviours. For example, they might resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating habits as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can worsen symptoms. Women are also more likely to get problems that are not diagnosed. As a result, they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other issues.
It's crucial to know that stress, certain physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. It's important to see a health care specialist or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis for women and men is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to take on more household and parenting work than men. This pressure can cause feelings of low self-esteem and can lead to distorted beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to tell the doctor about their issues and believe that they can manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes such as lack of sleep or stress. This can contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than adults of middle age. The highs in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred in a period of racial justice protests, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and the rise in unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is recognized as an important risk factor for anxiety and depression This combination of factors could explain why these levels have been persistently raised.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly when they reach adulthood. Social isolation can be linked to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family and friends who are able to provide support, however many adults struggle to keep or form new connections.
Societal norms about gender and sex may impact whether or not women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than males to refer girls to services for ADHD. This is thought to be partly due to the different types of symptoms that manifest in girls and boys: boys and men typically display hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms, while girls and women typically show primarily inattentive-type symptoms.
These societal expectations for girls and women can cause them to develop ADHD symptoms. Girls and women are often held to a higher standard than boys and men for the behaviors, attitudes, and traits they exhibit--particularly in relation to their empathy and ability to relate to others. This makes girls and women more prone to being penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. In the end, they could be mistakenly diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder and their ADHD symptoms may not be treated appropriately.
In addition, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels may be lower at the end and during the ovulation period of the menstrual cycle, which can make symptoms worse for girls and women. When combined with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women suffering from ADHD A mental health professional will still need evaluate each individual's symptoms and needs. The type of treatment a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms as in addition to other factors that could be contributing to their problems. For example the history of depression or trauma. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, where people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them out for healthier ones, as well as couples counseling that can help people improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.