ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, however, societal expectations and gender roles often make it harder for them to get diagnosed. Women can also mask their symptoms better, which can result in them being not diagnosed or delayed in getting treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persistent stereotypes and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are some of the most common untreated adhd in female adults.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women and those who were deemed 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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include not remembering important appointments or things that are important, and getting easily distracted by work or social events. It can be difficult for women suffering from this disorder to sit down and concentrate on their homework or other assignments at work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of depression, anxiety or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, resulting in misunderstandings, frustration and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can result in missed opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on female adults. Women may have a difficult time to deal with their problems both at home and in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to maintain a steady pace while they take on multiple obligations and try to reach the goals they set for them.
Alongside having issues 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 can be self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to stress, physical illness and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. This means they are more likely to suicide or self-injury as compared to those who don't suffer from the condition. A woman may be encouraged by the diagnosis and can take action to improve her life. However, getting an diagnosis requires that she first consult an experienced healthcare professional to conduct a thorough examination and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly in the workplace. Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently have a hard working through work assignments and coordinating their schedule. They may forget appointments, lose important paperwork or depend on productivity apps to help keep track of their tasks. These apps are helpful but they cannot replace good organizational skills.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their homes and families which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women with ADHD to feel ashamed and blame themselves for trying to meet these demands.
Time management issues can lead to frustration both in personal and professional relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. If you are frequently late for events, consider using a planner or checklists to keep track of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to remain focused and avoid distractions. The ability to listen to news stories on your phone instead of listening to music or podcasts can be an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, try switching to a manual-transmission car. You may also want to look into driving without a cellphone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
A mental health professional can assist you to determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate therapy according to your health issues and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also receive family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females with ADHD often report higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to deal with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating habits to deal with their symptoms. These actions can worsen symptoms. Women are also more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. They may be given the wrong treatment that could make them feel worse or cause other issues.
It's important that you know that stress, physical ailments, and illnesses can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. It's important to consult a mental health professional or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the disparity in ADHD diagnoses between men and women is due to a mixture of socially and biologically constructed roles. Women are typically expected to assume more parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This can result in feelings of low self-esteem and distorted beliefs, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Women are also less likely than men to speak with the doctor about their issues, believing that they can handle them themselves. Women with ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms on other factors, such as lack of sleep or stress. This can result in many women with ADHD not being diagnosed until they reach adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to suffer from more constant high rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. These peak levels coincided with cases of COVID-19 and were occurring at a time when there were racial injustice protests, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and recurrent catastrophes, as well as rising unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, has been proven to cause depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are constant high.
4. see more in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in adulthood. Social isolation can be connected to a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who provide support can be helpful but many adults find that they are unable to make new friends or maintain their current relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality may affect the likelihood that women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, teachers and parents were less likely to refer girls suffering from ADHD to treatment than boys. 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 expectations of society for women and girls may 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 prone to being penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD such as disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Additionally, hormonal changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower at the end of and during the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle and can cause symptoms to become worse for girls and women. In conjunction with hormonal changes during the adolescent years, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it harder for them to receive a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD A mental health professional must still assess each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of therapy a person receives will be based on their ADHD symptoms and other factors that could be contributing to their issues like the history of depression or trauma. A few typical treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn how to change their negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can also aid individuals in improving their communication skills and solve relationship problems.