ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is an illness that affects men & women. However, societal expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also better in hiding their symptoms, which can cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persisting stereotypes, and comorbidities could all be obstacles to a proper diagnosis. Here are some of the most frequently reported untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Trouble 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 adhd in adults treatment include not remembering important appointments or things and being easily distracted by social or work events. It can be a challenge for a woman with this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other work at work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of depression, anxiety, or medical problems.
People who have inattention ADHD often attempt to hide their symptoms. Their behavior can be misinterpreted by others, resulting in misunderstandings, frustration and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can cause missed opportunities and career challenges.
This is why the effects of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women may have difficulty to deal with their problems at home as well as in the workplace. This can make it difficult to stay afloat while they manage their responsibilities and attempt to achieve goals that they set for themselves.
In addition to having trouble focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. In the end, they can become isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors like alcohol abuse.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more susceptible to stress, physical illnesses and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who do not have the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. A diagnosis can help women feel more empowered to take steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. To receive a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a licensed health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. untreated adhd in adults depression can be difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women with undiagnosed ADHD have trouble managing their schedules and completing work-related tasks. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork or depend on productivity apps to help them keep track of their tasks. These apps can be helpful but they cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
Gender role expectations can also amplify the impact of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to take care of their homes and families, which requires a certain level of coordination that people suffering from ADHD 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 in relationships, both personal and professional. Symptoms of ADHD can make you underestimate how time it takes to complete a task, which can cause you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklists to keep track of deadlines. Make sure to take frequent breaks to move around and clear your mind, and use a timer when working.
You can also practice mindfulness techniques to help you stay on the task and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of music or podcasts could be a good alternative to listening to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, consider switching to a manual transmission vehicle. It is also possible to drive with your cellphone switched off to prevent distracted texting and calling.
A mental health professional can assist you to determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy that your doctor recommends is based on your specific needs and the circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also get couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, which can cause a variety of unhealthy behavior. In order to deal with their symptoms, they could turn to substances or unhealthy eating habits. These habits can cause symptoms to worsen. Women are more likely to have these problems misdiagnosed. They may receive the wrong treatment, which could make them feel worse or cause other problems.
It's important to recognize that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD, including stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. That's why it's essential to consult a health care provider or a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis for males and females is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are generally expected to perform more parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and can lead to distorted beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Women may also be less likely than men to inform doctors about their symptoms as they believe they are able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD may also be more likely than other people to blame their symptoms on other factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This can result in many women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to suffer from more constant high levels of depression and anxiety than middle-aged adults. These peaks coincided with COVID-19-related cases and were occurring at a time when protests against racial discrimination were taking place and mass shootings, years of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and recurrent catastrophes, as well as rising unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is known to be an important risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been so constantly raised.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to have difficulty making and maintaining friends, especially as they age. 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 offer assistance can be beneficial but many adults find that they simply can't make new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
The social norms that surround gender and sexual orientation can have an impact on whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls suffering from ADHD to services 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 increase the severity of 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 punished for having ADHD-related symptoms such as disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels may be lower at the end and during ovulation of the menstrual cycle and can cause symptoms to become more severe for females and girls. This can cause confusion among adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
While many of the same treatments are available to women suffering from ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still have to evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of therapy a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that might be contributing to their problems, such as an experience of depression or trauma. Some common treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals are taught to change their negative thoughts and swap them out for healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.