ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects men & women. However, social expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which could cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the most common untreated adhd in females.
1. Trouble focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more common in males and females, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are still underdiagnosed for the condition. 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 work or social events. People with this disorder might also have difficulty to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to cover them up. People may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, and conflict within relationships. It could result in missed career opportunities and challenges at work.
This is why the impact of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women may have a difficult time to deal with their problems 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 that they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They can become isolated or develop unhealthy habits that can be self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical illness, stress as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who do not suffer from the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. A woman can feel empowered after receiving a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. To get a diagnosis one must first speak with a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women with undiagnosed ADHD have a difficult time managing their daily schedule and completing work-related tasks. They may miss appointments, lose important paperwork or rely on productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps are helpful but they cannot replace good organizational skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are required to look after their families and their homes which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of shame and self-blame among women with ADHD who are trying to meet those demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration both in professional and personal relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimating the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late to meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a planner to keep the track of deadlines if you're frequently late for events. Take breaks frequently to move around and calm your mind, and use a timer when working.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to remain focused and reduce distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to a news story on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate when driving, you can switch to a manual transmission vehicle. You may also want think about driving without your phone to avoid getting distracted by texting or making calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can recommend treatment and coping strategies. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will recommend a therapy according to your health issues and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also seek family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. I Am Psychiatry and Depression
Females with ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than males. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, which could result in a range of unhealthy behavior. For example, they might turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating habits as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can worsen symptoms. Additionally women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. In the end, they are treated in the wrong way which can further aggravate their mood and trigger other issues.
It's important that you know that stress, certain physical conditions, and illnesses can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. That's why it's essential to see a medical specialist or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in ADHD diagnoses between women and men is due to a mixture of biological and socially constructed roles. Women are expected to perform more household and parenting work than men. 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 can handle the symptoms on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes such as lack of sleep 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 era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have more persistently high levels of depression and anxiety than middle-aged adults. These highs coincided with cases of COVID-19 and were occurring at a time when protests against racism were on the rise and mass shootings, a decade of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Recent and frequent stress exposure is recognized as a risk cause for depression and anxiety and this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been so consistently raised.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation is associated with a range of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. The presence of close family and friends members who offer support can be beneficial but many adults find that they simply can't make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms relating to gender and sexual orientation can have an influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. 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 for women and girls can 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 girls and women more likely to be penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD such as disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be mistakenly diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms may not be appropriately treated.
Moreover, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of their menstrual cycle and during ovulation. This can make girls' and women's symptoms appear to be more severe. When combined with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Although it is true that many of the same treatments work for women with ADHD as they do for males A mental health professional will be required to assess each person's particular needs and symptoms. The type of treatment a patient receives is based on their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors the cause of their issues. For instance trauma, a history of depression or a traumatic experience. A few typical treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn how to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can also help individuals improve their communication skills and solve relationship problems.