ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, however, societal expectations and gender roles often make it difficult for them to be diagnosed. Women are also better at masking their symptoms, which could result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of most frequent untreated adhd female adults.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and people 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items that are important, and getting easily distracted by social or work occasions. It can be difficult for women with this disorder to sit down and focus on homework or other work at work or school. In some cases, people with ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical condition.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to make up for them. Others might not understand their behavior, leading to confusion, frustration and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it could cause missed opportunities and career challenges.
In the end, the consequences of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women can find themselves struggling to manage their difficulties at home and at work which can make it difficult to stay on top of their game as they take on multiple responsibilities and attempt to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty focusing and also find it difficult to receive emotional support from family members and close friends. In the end they may feel isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors, such as alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feeling of worthlessness. This can make them more susceptible to physical illness, stress and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who don't have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. Receiving a diagnosis can help a woman feel more confident in taking steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. To be diagnosed, a woman must first consult a licensed healthcare provider for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult working through work tasks and managing their daily schedule. They may miss appointments, lose important documents or rely on productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps can be helpful however they aren't able to substitute for the need for strong organization skills.
Gender roles can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to care for their families and homes which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of shame and self-blame in women who suffer from ADHD who try to meet these demands which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Time management issues can cause frustration both in professional and personal relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Take breaks frequently to move around and relax your mind, and utilize a timer while working.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to stay focused and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead listening to podcasts or music while working, you can listen to the news on your mobile. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, consider switching to a manual transmission vehicle. You might also want to think about driving without your phone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatment and strategies for coping. Treatment options can include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest a therapy depending on your symptoms and the current situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also seek couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females with ADHD typically have higher levels of anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They may struggle to deal with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviours. For example, they might resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for these issues. As a result, they receive the wrong treatment which may further aggravate their mood and cause other issues.
It's important to recognize that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD, including stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. It's important to consult a health care specialist or a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis between males and females is due to a combination of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are generally expected to perform more parenting and household duties than their male counterparts. This can result in feelings of low self esteem and distorted beliefs, which can worsen ADHD symptoms.
In addition, women may be less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional because they think they're able to handle them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely than others to blame their symptoms, like sleep issues or stress. This could lead to a lot of women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 epidemic has been especially difficult for young adults. They are more likely to experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than adults in their mid-life. The peaks in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred in a period of racial justice protests mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and rising unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is known to be a risk factor for anxiety and depression and this combination of factors may help explain why these levels have been constantly elevated.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty making and keeping friends, especially as they age. Social isolation can be connected to a myriad of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family members and friends who can provide support, however many adults have difficulty maintaining or make new connections.
The social norms that surround gender and sex can influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than men to refer girls to treatment 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 of 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 means that women and girls are more likely to be penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD like inattention and disorganization. In the end, they could be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Moreover, adhd symptoms adults treatment can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation. This can make women's and girls' symptoms get worse. This can cause confusion among adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat them properly.
Although many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD However, a mental health professional will still have to evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The kind of therapy a patient receives will be based on their ADHD symptoms and any other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties like the history of depression or trauma. A few common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to change their negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can aid individuals in improving their communication skills and solve issues in their relationships.