ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, but societal expectations and gender roles often make it difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women are also more adept in minimizing their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms, and comorbidities all create obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of most frequently reported untreated adhd female adults.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women and those who were deemed female 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by social or work occasions. It can be a challenge for women suffering from this disorder to sit down and focus on homework or other work at work or school. Women with ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety, or medical problems.
People with inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to make up for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. It could result in difficulties in their careers and a lack of opportunities in the workplace.
This is why the effects of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women may find it difficult to cope with their difficulties both at home and in the workplace. This could make it difficult to keep afloat as they manage their tasks and strive to meet the goals that they set for themselves.
adhd in adults treatment suffering from ADHD have difficulty focusing and also are unable to receive emotional support from family members and close friends. They can become isolated or develop unhealthy habits that lead to self-defeating behaviors like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem and feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness. This makes them more susceptible to stress, physical illnesses and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They are more likely than people who do not have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. Women can feel empowered after receiving a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. However, getting an diagnosis requires that she first see a qualified healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and efficient treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult working through tasks at work and managing their schedule. They might forget appointments, misplace 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 need for solid organizational skills.
Gender roles can enhance the impact of ADHD symptoms for women. Women are expected to take care of their home and family, which requires a certain level of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame among women who suffer from ADHD who are trying to meet those demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Problems with time management can result in frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimating the time it takes to complete a task, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are frequently late for events. Take frequent breaks to move around and relax your mind, and utilize a timer while working.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to remain focused and cut down on distractions. Watching news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts could be an alternative to music while working. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, you might consider changing to a vehicle with a manual transmission. You may also want to consider driving without your cellphone to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
A mental health professional can help determine the most effective treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include medication, such as stimulants, and psychotherapy. Your doctor will recommend 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 destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than males. They may have difficulty coping with these symptoms, leading to a variety of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they could resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating habits as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can make symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to get these problems misdiagnosed. They could receive the wrong treatment, which could increase their mood or trigger other issues.
It's important that you know that stress, certain physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. It is essential to consult an expert in mental health or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the disparity in ADHD diagnoses between men and women is due to a mix of socially and biologically constructed roles. Women are expected to take on more household chores and parenting than men. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and distorted beliefs, which can worsen ADHD symptoms.
Women may also be less likely than men to inform a doctor about their symptoms as they believe they can handle them themselves. Women with ADHD are also more likely than others to blame their symptoms on other factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This can lead to many women with ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who are more likely to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than adults of middle age. The peak in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred in a period of protests against racial injustice, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and the rise in unemployment. Stress exposure either in the form of chronic or recent, has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. This combination of factors may explain why these levels are so consistently high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly when they reach adulthood. Social isolation is associated with a range of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family and friends who are able to provide support, but many adults struggle to maintain or establish new relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality may affect the likelihood that women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment 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.
These societal expectations of 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 penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower towards the end and during ovulation of a woman's menstrual period, which can make symptoms more severe for females and girls. When combined with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could cause confusion about their symptoms, making it difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Although many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional must still assess each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of treatment a person receives is based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors contributing to their difficulties. For instance trauma, a history of depression or a traumatic experience. Some typical treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can assist individuals to improve their communication and resolve relationship problems.