ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both males and females. However, social expectations & gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also better at masking their symptoms, which can cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persistent stereotypes and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a clear diagnosis. Here are some of female adults' symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and those who were assigned females 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.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD include difficulty staying organized or on task, forgetting important appointments or things, and easily being distracted by social or work events. People with this disorder may also find it difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork or other activities. In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical issue.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to cover them up. Others might interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, frustration, and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it could cause problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
This is why the consequences of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women may have difficulty to cope with their difficulties both at home and 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 difficulty focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. They may become lonely or develop unhealthy habits that are self-defeating, such as drinking.
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 make them more susceptible to physical illness, stress and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This means they are more likely to turn to suicide or self-injury as compared to those who do not suffer from the condition. Women can feel empowered after receiving the diagnosis and can take action to improve her life. However, getting an diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and efficient treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD frequently have a hard to complete work assignments and coordinating their daily schedule. They may forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or depend on productivity apps to help them remain on track. These apps can be useful however they aren't able to substitute for the need for strong organizational skills.
The gender-based expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to care for their families and their homes and homes, which require a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame for women who suffer from ADHD who try to fulfill these expectations and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Problems with time management can cause frustration both in personal and professional relationships. Symptoms of ADHD can make you underestimate how long it takes to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Make sure to take frequent breaks to move around and calm your mind, and utilize a timer while working.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to focus and reduce distractions. For example, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, play an article on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, try switching to a manual transmission car. You can also consider driving with your cellphone switched off to prevent distracted texting and calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. The type of therapy that your doctor recommends is based on your specific symptoms 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 seek couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication between your family members.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females with ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than males. They may have difficulty coping with the symptoms, which could cause a variety of unhealthy behaviours. In order to deal with their symptoms, they could resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These actions can make symptoms worse. Women are more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. This means that they are treated incorrectly, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other problems.
It's important that you know that stress, physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD. It's important to consult an expert in mental health or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the differences in ADHD diagnoses between women and men is due to a combination socially and biologically imposed roles. Women are expected to do more household and parenting work than men. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to inform the doctor about their issues and believe that they can manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely than others to blame their problems on external factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This could lead to a lot of women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until they reach adulthood.
see more suggests that the COVID-19 epidemic has been especially difficult for young adults. They tend to have higher rates of depression and anxiety than adults in their mid-life. These peaks coincided with COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time where there were racial injustice protests and mass shootings, years of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and recurrent catastrophes, as well as rising unemployment. Stress exposure either in the form of chronic or recent, is known to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are so constant high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in adulthood. Social isolation can be linked to a variety of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family members and friends who are able to provide assistance, but many adults have difficulty maintaining or form new relationships.
The social norms surrounding 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 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.
These societal expectations of 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 women and girls more prone to being punished for having ADHD-related symptoms such as disorganization and inattention. It is possible that they are misdiagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms may not be properly treated.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, and this can make women's and girls' symptoms appear to be more severe. This can cause confusion among adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
While it is true that a lot of the same treatment options are effective for women suffering from ADHD like they do for males, a mental health professional will need to evaluate each individual's particular needs and symptoms. The type of therapy a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties like the history of depression or trauma. Some typical treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones. Couples counseling can also help individuals improve their communication skills and solve problems in relationships.