ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men as well as women, however, societal expectations and gender roles often make it difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases, lingering stereotypes and comorbidities are all obstacles to a proper diagnosis. Here are a few female adults' symptoms that aren't being treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and people 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 not remembering important appointments or things and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. Women with this disorder might also have difficulty to focus on their schoolwork or other activities. Women with ADHD can have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and try to make up for them. Their behavior can be misinterpreted by others, resulting in conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. This can result in problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. in the workplace.
As a result, the impact of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. adhd in adults untreated can be having to deal with their challenges at home and at work and this can make it hard to stay on top of their game as they manage many responsibilities and strive to reach the goals they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. They may feel isolated or develop unhealthy habits that are self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms like low self esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more prone to stress, physical illness and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. They are more likely than people who do not have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. A woman can feel empowered by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. However, obtaining an diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an expert in healthcare for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult working through work tasks and managing their schedule. They may forget appointments, lose important documents or use productivity apps to help stay on task. These apps can be useful however they aren't able to replace the need for good organizational skills.
Gender roles can enhance the impact of ADHD symptoms for women. Women are expected to care for their families and homes which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of self-reflection and shame in women who suffer from ADHD who are trying to fulfill these expectations and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration, both in professional and personal relationships. The signs of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the you will take 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 checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and get moving.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you stay on the task and avoid distractions. For instance, instead of listening to podcasts or music while working, listen to the news on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, you might consider switching to a car that has a manual transmission. You can also consider driving with your phone off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, the mental health professional can recommend treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest the appropriate therapy depending on your symptoms and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also receive 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 anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They can struggle to cope with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behaviours. For example, they might turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating habits as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. Furthermore women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. They may receive the wrong treatment, which could increase their mood or trigger other problems.
It's important that you know that stress, certain physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in the rate of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are usually expected to assume the majority of parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This can cause feelings of low self-esteem and distorted beliefs, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Women may also be less likely than men to tell doctors about their symptoms and believe that they are able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms on other factors, like sleep issues or stress. This can contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are undiagnosed in adulthood.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for young adults. They have greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle years. The peak in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time 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 an important risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been so consistently elevated.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing 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 members and friends who are able to provide support, but many adults struggle to keep or form new connections.
Societal norms about gender and sex may impact whether or not women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. 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.
These societal expectations for women and girls could cause them to develop 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 punished for having ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. It is possible that they are misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated properly.
Furthermore, hormone fluctuations can further amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels may be lower towards the end and during ovulation of a woman's menstrual period which can cause symptoms worse for girls and women. Combined with hormonal changes in the adolescent years, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it difficult to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Although it is true that many of the same treatment options are effective for women suffering from ADHD as they do for men However, a mental health professional will need to evaluate each individual's particular needs and symptoms. The type of treatment a patient receives depends on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that may be contributing to their difficulties. For example 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 thoughts and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can also aid individuals in improving their communication skills and solve problems in relationships.