ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, but societal expectations and gender roles can make it harder for them to be diagnosed. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which can result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persisting stereotypes, and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are a few females' symptoms that aren't being treated for adhd.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and those who were assigned female at birth are still underdiagnosed 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.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on track, ignoring important things or appointments and being easily distracted by social or work events. It can be a challenge for women suffering from this disorder to sit down and concentrate on assignments or other assignments at work or school. In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical condition.
People who have inattention ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. Others may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, frustration and conflict in relationships. This can result in missed career opportunities and challenges at work.
This is why the impact of untreated ADHD in females who are adults can be devastating. Women can be struggling to manage their difficulties at home and at work, which can make it hard to stay on top of their game as they manage multiple responsibilities and attempt to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD struggle to focus and struggle to get emotional support from their family and friends. They can become isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem and feelings guilt, shame or deprivation. This makes them more vulnerable to physical illness, stress and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. As a result, they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those who do not suffer from the condition. Being diagnosed can help women feel more empowered to take steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. However, obtaining diagnosed is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder to complete tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They might forget important appointments or paperwork, or rely upon productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be useful, but they cannot replace the need for solid organizational skills.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their families and their homes, which requires a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of self-reflection and shame in women with ADHD who are trying to meet these demands which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Problems with time management can lead to frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. The symptoms of ADHD can make you underestimate how you will take to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Take breaks frequently to move around and relax your mind. You can also utilize a timer while working.
You can also try mindfulness techniques to help you stay on focus and eliminate distractions. For instance, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, listen to the news on your mobile. If you are having trouble concentrating when driving, you can switch to a manual-transmission car. You may also want to think about driving without your phone to avoid getting distracted by texting or calling.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options may include medication, such as stimulants, and psychotherapy. The type of therapy that your doctor recommends will be based on your specific needs and the circumstances in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you come to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also seek out family or couples therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females who suffer from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than men. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, which could result in a range of unhealthy behaviors. To cope with their symptoms, they may use substances or develop unhealthy eating habits. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. In addition women are more prone to be misdiagnosed for these problems. In the end, they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and cause other problems.
It's crucial to know that stress, physical conditions, and illnesses can cause symptoms that are 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 believe that the difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis among women and men is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to do more household and parenting tasks than men. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Furthermore, women may be less likely to admit their symptoms to a healthcare professional because they think they can handle them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms, such as lack of sleep or stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have more persistently high rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. The highs in these levels coincided with a spike in COVID-19 case numbers and were triggered by a period of protests against racial injustice, 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 a risk factor for anxiety and depression and this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been so persistently raised.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation is linked to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. The presence of close family and friends members who provide support can be beneficial, but many adults find that they can't form new friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sex can affect whether women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than males to recommend 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.
The social expectations for women and girls can exacerbate 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 women and girls more likely to be punished for having ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be mistakenly diagnosed as having anxiety or a mood disorder and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
In addition, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels can be lower towards the end and during the ovulation period of the menstrual cycle and can cause symptoms to become worse for women and girls. This can lead to confusion in adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. symptoms of adhd in adults treatment can be difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
Although many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of therapy a patient receives will be based on their ADHD symptoms and any other factors that could be contributing to their problems like a history of depression or trauma. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals are taught to change their negative thoughts and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling which can help couples improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.