ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, but the expectations of society and gender roles often make it more difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women may also hide their symptoms better, which can result in them being incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities all contribute to obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some female adults' symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although the symptoms of impulsive and hyperactive of ADHD are more prevalent in males and females, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are not yet diagnosed 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.
The signs of inattention ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on track, ignoring important dates or items, and being easily distracted by social or work occasions. People with this disorder might also have difficulty to concentrate on schoolwork or other work. Women with ADHD can have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because of anxiety, depression, or medical problems.
People who have inattention ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it could cause problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may find themselves struggling to manage their difficulties at home and at work, which can make it hard to keep afloat when they juggle multiple responsibilities and attempt to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
In addition to having difficulty focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may become lonely, or develop unhealthy patterns that can be self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem and feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness. This makes them more prone to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. As a result, they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those who do not suffer from the condition. A diagnosis can help women feel more empowered to take steps to change her life to the best of her abilities. To receive a diagnosis one must first speak with a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women with no diagnosis of ADHD have trouble managing their schedules and completing work-related tasks. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or depend on productivity apps to help them remain on track. These apps are helpful, but cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The gender-based expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are required to look after their homes and families, which requires a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women suffering from ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for failing to meet these demands.
Problems with time management can cause frustration in relationships both professional and personal. Symptoms of ADHD can make you underestimate how you will take to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you are frequently late for events, consider using a planner or checklists to keep the track of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to move around and relax your mind. Also, employ a timer when you work.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to focus and reduce distractions. For instance, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, play the news on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, think about switching to a car with manual transmission. You could also consider driving with your phone off to prevent distractions with texting and calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options may include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and the circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD have higher levels of anxiety and depression than males. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, which can result in a range of unhealthy behaviours. To cope with evidence based treatment for adhd in adults , they may turn to substances or unhealthy eating habits. These actions can make symptoms worse. Additionally women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for these conditions. They may be given the wrong treatment which can increase their mood or trigger other issues.
It's important that you know that stress, physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis for women and men is due to a combination of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are expected to do more household and parenting tasks than men. This pressure can cause feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to tell the doctor about their issues, believing that they can manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD might also be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes, such as a lack of sleep or stress. This can lead to many women with ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for young adults. They tend to have greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle years. The peaks in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 and were triggered by a period of racial justice protests, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and the rise in unemployment. Recent and frequent stress exposure is an important risk factor for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors may help explain why these levels have been persistently raised.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD can have trouble making and maintaining friends particularly as they get older. Social isolation is connected to a myriad of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family and friends who can offer assistance, but many adults have difficulty maintaining or establish new relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than males to refer girls to treatment 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.
These societal expectations of girls and women may also 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 women and girls more prone to being punished for having ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms may not be appropriately treated.
Additionally, hormonal 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. In conjunction with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
While it is true that a number of the same treatments are effective for women suffering from ADHD like they do for men However, a mental health professional will have to take a look at each individual's unique symptoms and needs. The kind of therapy that a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and any other factors that may contribute to their difficulties, such as a history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people learn to alter their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can help individuals improve their communication and resolve relationship problems.