ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, but the expectations of society and gender roles often make it difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women are also better in hiding their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of the most frequent untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were assigned female at birth are often not 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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by work or social events. Women suffering from this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on their schoolwork or other activities. untreated adhd in adults relationships who suffer from ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to make up for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, resulting in confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can lead to lost opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on female adults. Women may have a difficult time to deal with their problems both at home and in the workplace. This could make it difficult to stay afloat while they juggle their multiple tasks and strive to meet the goals that they set for themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and also are unable to receive emotional support from their family and friends. They can become isolated or develop unhealthy habits that can be self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms like low self esteem or feelings of guilt shame or feeling of worthlessness. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to stress, physical illness and mental health conditions like 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 may feel empowered after receiving a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. To get a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a licensed health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD have trouble managing their day-to-day schedule and completing work tasks. They may forget appointments, misplace important paperwork or rely on productivity apps to help them stay on task. These apps can be useful however they aren't able to replace the need for solid organization skills.
Gender role expectations can also increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to take care of their home and family which requires an amount of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society could cause women suffering from ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for failing to fulfill these expectations.
untreated adhd in adults relationships can lead to frustration, both in personal and professional relationships. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the long it takes to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and get moving.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to focus and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, listen to a news story on your smartphone. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, consider changing to a vehicle with a manual transmission. You might also want to think about driving without your phone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can suggest treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy that your doctor recommends is based on your specific needs and the current state of your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you come to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing 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 who suffer from ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a range of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they may turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating habits as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can make the symptoms worse. In addition women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for these conditions. This means that they are treated in the wrong way which can further aggravate their mood and trigger other issues.
It's important to recognize that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD like stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is essential to consult a mental health professional or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis for women and men is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are typically expected to perform more parenting and household duties than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a healthcare professional due to the belief that they can handle the symptoms on their own. Women with ADHD might also be more likely than other people to blame their problems on external factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This can contribute to the fact that a lot of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for young adults. They tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than adults in their middle years. The peaks in these levels coincided with spikes in COVID-19 case numbers and occurred during a time of racial justice protests, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and the rise in unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is known to be an important risk factor for anxiety and depression and this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been so constantly increased.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, particularly in adulthood. Social isolation can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who offer support can be beneficial, but many adults find that they simply can't make new friends or maintain their current relationships.
The social norms relating to gender and sex can impact on 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 of women and girls may contribute to 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 punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be incorrectly diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder and their ADHD symptoms might not be appropriately treated.
In addition hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower towards the end and during the ovulation period of the menstrual cycle, which can make symptoms more severe for females and girls. In conjunction with hormonal changes during the adolescent years, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Although many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD A mental health professional must still assess each individual's symptoms and needs. The type of therapy that a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms and other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties like a history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals are taught to change their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones, as well as couples counseling that can help people improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.