ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both males and females. However, societal expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also more adept in hiding their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of females' symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and those who were assigned females 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 being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. It can be difficult for women suffering from this disorder to sit and concentrate on assignments or other work at work or school. In some cases, people with ADHD may have trouble falling or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical problem.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can result in missed opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on females. Women may have a difficult time to manage their issues both at home and in the workplace. This could make it difficult to maintain a steady pace while they take on multiple obligations and try to reach the goals they set for them.
In addition to having trouble focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. As a result, they can become isolated or develop self-defeating patterns such as alcohol use.
Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem, feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical illness, stress and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. They are more likely than those who do not suffer from the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. Receiving a diagnosis can help a woman feel more confident in taking steps to change her life to the best of her abilities. However, getting a diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially at work. Women with no diagnosis of ADHD struggle with managing their day-to-day schedule and completing work-related tasks. They might forget important paperwork or appointments or rely on productivity apps to stay on top of things. These apps are useful but they are not a substitute for the ability to organize your life.
Gender role expectations can also increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their homes and families, which requires some degree of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can make women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for trying to meet these demands.
Problems with time management can lead to frustration both in professional and personal relationships. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for events, consider using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Make sure to take frequent breaks to move around and calm your mind. Also, employ a timer when you work.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to remain focused and avoid distractions. For example, instead of listening to podcasts or music while working, you can listen to a news story on your mobile. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, try switching to a manual transmission car. You may also want think about driving without your phone to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
Once you are diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can suggest treatments and strategies for coping. Treatment options can include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest an approach according to your health issues and the current situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also seek out family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD typically have higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to deal with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behaviours. To cope with their symptoms, they could turn to substances or unhealthy eating habits. These behaviors can make the symptoms worse. In addition, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these conditions. They could receive the wrong treatment that could worsen their mood or cause other issues.
It's important to recognize that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD like stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. It's important to see a medical specialist or mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in the rate of ADHD diagnosis for males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are generally expected to perform a larger share of parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This pressure can cause feelings of self-doubt and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
In addition, women may be less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional because they believe they're able to manage them on their own. untreated adhd in adults depression with ADHD might also be more likely than others to blame their symptoms on other factors, such as lack of sleep or stress. This can contribute to the fact that a lot of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who are more likely to have more persistently high rates of anxiety and depression than adults of middle age. These peaks coincided with COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time where protests against racism were on the rise and mass shootings, years of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Stress exposure as a whole, whether it is chronic or recent, has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are persistently high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially when they reach adulthood. Social isolation can lead to health issues like high blood pressure or chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who provide assistance can be beneficial, but many adults find that they simply can't make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality can affect whether or not women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, parents or teachers 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.
The expectations of society for girls and women may also contribute to 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. Girls and women are more likely to be the victims of punishment for ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. In the end, they could be mistakenly diagnosed as having depression or anxiety or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be appropriately treated.
Furthermore, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower at the end and during ovulation of the menstrual cycle, which can make symptoms worse for women and girls. This can cause confusion in adolescents, especially when they are combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to diagnose and treat them appropriately.
While it is true that many of the same treatments work for women with ADHD as they do for males However, a mental health professional will still need to evaluate each individual's particular needs and symptoms. The type of treatment that a person receives is based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors contributing to their problems. For example the history of depression or trauma. A few popular treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where people learn to change their negative thoughts and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can also assist individuals to improve their communication skills and solve issues in their relationships.