ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men as well as women, but the expectations of society and gender roles often make it harder for them to be diagnosed. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which can result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities all contribute to obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the most frequent untreated adhd females.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those 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 that are important, and getting easily distracted by social or work occasions. Women suffering from this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on their schoolwork or other activities. In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty getting or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical issue.
People with inattentive ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. Others might not understand their behavior, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in relationships. In the workplace, it can result in problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
As a result, the effects of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women may find themselves having to deal with their challenges at home and at work, which can make it difficult for them to stay afloat as they manage multiple responsibilities and try to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
Alongside having issues in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. In the end they may feel isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors like alcohol abuse.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation. This makes them more vulnerable to stress, physical illnesses and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They are more likely than those who do not suffer from the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. A woman can be encouraged by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. To receive a diagnosis the woman should first speak with a qualified healthcare provider for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage at work, particularly. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder working through work tasks and managing their daily schedule. They may forget important appointments or paperwork or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be helpful, but they cannot replace the need for good organizational skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Society expects women to take care of their home and family which requires some degree of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults from society can cause women with ADHD to feel ashamed and blame themselves for trying to meet these demands.
Problems with time management can result in frustration in relationships both professional and personal. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimating the time needed to complete a task, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. If you're frequently late for events, consider using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and get moving.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to focus and cut down on distractions. Watching news stories on your phone instead of listening to music or podcasts can be an excellent alternative to listening 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 think about driving without your phone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
Once you are diagnosed with ADHD, the mental health professional can recommend treatments and strategies for coping. Treatment options can include medication, such as stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate therapy depending on your symptoms and the current situation in your life. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings while swapping out negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also get couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD typically have higher levels of anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They can struggle to cope with these issues, which can lead to a range of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they may take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can make symptoms worse. In addition women are more prone to be misdiagnosed for these problems. In the end, they are treated incorrectly which may further aggravate their mood and trigger other problems.
It's crucial to know that stress, certain physical conditions, and illnesses can cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. That's why it's essential to see a health care practitioner or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis between women and men is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender 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 tell doctors about their symptoms, believing that they are able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have more persistently high rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. The peak in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and were triggered by a period of racial justice protests mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and a rise in 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 constant high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, particularly in their later years. Social isolation can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who can provide support can be beneficial however, many adults discover that they can't form new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, teachers and parents were less likely to refer girls with 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.
The expectations of society for women and girls may exacerbate 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 prone to being punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated properly.
Furthermore, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels may be lower towards the end and during the ovulation phase of a woman's menstrual period and can cause symptoms to become worse for girls and women. When combined with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it harder for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Although many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The kind of therapy that a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and other factors that may contribute to their issues like the history of trauma or depression. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals are taught to change their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling that can help people improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.