ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects men & women. However, the expectations of society & gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women can also mask their symptoms more effectively, which could lead them to be not diagnosed or delayed in getting treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms, and comorbidities all create obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of the most frequently reported untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more common for both genders, 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.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are a lack of organization or on track, ignoring important things or appointments and being easily distracted by social or work occasions. Women with this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some instances, women with ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical issue.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms. Others may not understand their behavior, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in relationships. In the workplace, it can lead to problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
As a result, the effects of untreated ADHD in females who are adults can be devastating. Women may have a difficult time to cope with their difficulties at home as well as in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to keep afloat as they manage their responsibilities and attempt to achieve goals they set for them.
In addition to having trouble focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. They may become lonely, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem, feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness. This makes them more susceptible to physical illness, stress and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who don't have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. A woman can feel empowered by a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. However, obtaining adult adhd diagnosis and treatment requires that she first see an expert in healthcare for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently have a hard to complete tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They may forget important documents or appointments, or rely upon productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be useful but they are not able to substitute for the need for strong organizational skills.
Gender role expectations can also enhance the impact of ADHD symptoms for women. Women are expected to take care of their families and homes and homes, which require a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can trigger feelings of self-reflection and shame in women with ADHD who attempt to meet those demands which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration in relationships both professional and personal. 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. If you're frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklists to keep track of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to stay focused and reduce distractions. For example, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, play a news story on your mobile. If you have trouble concentrating when driving, you can switch to a manual-transmission car. You can also consider driving with your cell phone turned off to prevent distracted texting and calling.
A mental health professional can help you determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends is based on the specific symptoms you have and the current state of your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also seek out family or couples therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females with ADHD tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They can struggle to cope with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These habits can cause symptoms to worsen. Furthermore women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these conditions. This means that they are treated in the wrong way which can further aggravate their mood and cause other problems.
It's important to note that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD, including stress as well as certain physical conditions and illnesses. This is why it's crucial to see a health care specialist or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are generally expected to take on a larger share of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This pressure can cause feelings of self-doubt and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Women may also be less likely than men to tell the doctor about their issues, believing that they can handle them themselves. Women with ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This could lead to a lot of 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 tend to suffer from more constant high levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. These peak levels coincided with cases of COVID-19 and were occurring at a time when protests against racism were on the rise, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is an important risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors may help explain why these levels have been so consistently elevated.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly when they reach adulthood. Social isolation can lead to health problems 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 friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms relating to gender and sexuality 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 expectations from society for girls and women 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 means that women and girls are more prone to being punished for having ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be mistakenly diagnosed as having depression or anxiety or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can also cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower at the end and during the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle and can cause symptoms to become more severe for females and girls. When combined with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it harder to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women suffering from ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of therapy a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that might be contributing to their issues like the history of trauma or depression. Some common treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people learn to change their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones, as well as couples counseling, which can help individuals improve communication and resolve problems in their relationships.