ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects men & women. However, societal expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also more adept at masking their symptoms, which can result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persistent stereotypes and comorbidities could all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are a few of the most frequently reported untreated adhd females.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and people who were deemed female 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 social or work occasions. People with this disorder may also find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or other tasks. Women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression, or medical problems.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to make up for them. People may misinterpret their behavior, causing confusion, frustration and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it could lead to missed opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on female adults. Women may have a difficult time to cope with their difficulties both at home and at 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.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty focusing and struggle to get emotional support from family members and friends. In the end they may feel isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors like alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. This means they are more likely to suicide or self-injury than those who do not suffer from the condition. A woman can be encouraged by a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. To be diagnosed, a woman must first speak with a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment 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 time following through on tasks at work and managing their schedule. adhd symptoms adults treatment may lose important appointments or paperwork, or rely upon productivity apps to stay on track. These apps are helpful but they are not a substitute for good organizational skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. Society expects women to take care of their family and home which requires an amount of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. The pressures from society can make women with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves for not being able to meet these demands.
Problems with time management can lead to frustration both in personal and professional relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a calendar to the track of deadlines if you're often late for events. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to stay focused and avoid distractions. The ability to listen to news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts is an alternative to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, think about switching to a car with a manual transmission. You could also consider driving with your cellphone switched off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatment and strategies for coping. Treatment options can include medication, such as stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy that your doctor recommends will depend on your specific needs and the current state of your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females with ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behavior. As a way to cope with their symptoms, they could resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These actions can worsen symptoms. In addition women are more prone to be misdiagnosed with these conditions. As a result, they are treated incorrectly, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other issues.
It's essential to be aware that stress, physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. This is why it's crucial to see a medical provider or mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the rate of ADHD diagnosis between males and females is due to a combination of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are expected to perform more household and parenting tasks than men. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to speak with a doctor about their symptoms as they believe they can handle them themselves. Women who suffer from ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes such as lack of sleep or excessive stress. This can result in many women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until adulthood.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly challenging for young adults. They are more likely to experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than adults in their middle age. The peaks in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred during a time of protests against racial injustice, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and a rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, is known to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are consistently high.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in adulthood. Social isolation can cause health problems such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family and friends who can provide support, but many adults struggle to keep or form new connections.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality can affect whether or not women suffering from ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they require. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than men to recommend girls to services 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 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 prone to being punished for having ADHD-related symptoms such as disorganization and inattention. They could be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can also cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels may be lower at the end and during the ovulation phase of the menstrual period which can cause 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 for them to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD A mental health professional will still need evaluate each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of treatment a person receives is based on their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For instance, a history depression or a traumatic experience. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals are taught to change their negative thoughts and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.