ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, however, societal expectations and gender roles can make it more difficult for them to be diagnosed. Women are also more adept at masking their symptoms, which could cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities all contribute to obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some females' symptoms that aren't being treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and people who were deemed 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.
The signs of inattention ADHD are a lack of organization or on track, ignoring important things or appointments 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 due to depression, anxiety, or medical problems.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms. Their behavior can be misinterpreted by others, resulting in conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. In the workplace, it could cause lost opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may find it difficult to deal with their problems both at home and in the workplace. This can make it difficult to keep afloat as they manage their responsibilities and attempt to achieve goals they set for them.
In addition to having difficulty focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may feel isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem and feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness. This can make them more susceptible to physical and mental stress and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As a result, they are more likely to turn to self-injury or suicide than those without the condition. A woman can feel empowered after receiving an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. However, getting diagnosed is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. adhd symptoms adults treatment with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially in the workplace. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often have a harder time following through on work assignments and coordinating their daily schedule. They may lose important documents or appointments or rely on productivity apps to stay on track. These apps can be helpful however they aren't able to replace the need for good organizational skills.
Gender role expectations can also enhance the impact of ADHD symptoms for women. Women are expected to care for their families and their homes, which requires a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of shame and self-blame in women who suffer from ADHD who are trying to meet those demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Problems with time management can cause frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for events, consider using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to focus and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to an article on your smartphone. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, you might consider changing to a vehicle with a manual transmission. You can also consider driving with your cellphone switched off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.
A mental health professional can help you find the best treatment and coping method for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy that your doctor recommends will be based on your specific symptoms and what's going on in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also get family or couples therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than males. They can struggle to cope with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviors. To cope with their symptoms, they could use substances or develop unhealthy eating habits. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. Furthermore women are more prone to be misdiagnosed with these conditions. In the end, they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and cause other problems.
It's important that you know that stress, certain physical ailments, and illnesses can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. It is important to speak with a mental health professional or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in the frequency 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 the majority of parenting and household duties than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and can lead to distorted beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to inform the doctor about their issues, believing 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 can contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are undiagnosed in adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. The highs in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred in a period of racial justice protests, mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and a rise in 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 persistently high.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD can have trouble making and maintaining friends particularly as they get older. Social isolation can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who offer assistance can be beneficial, but many adults find that they simply can't make new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not 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.
The expectations of society for girls and women can be a contributing factor 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 having ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. adhd in adults untreated is possible that they are misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Furthermore, hormone fluctuations can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower at the end and during the ovulation period of a woman's menstrual period which can cause symptoms worse for girls and women. In conjunction with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can cause confusion about their symptoms, making it harder to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD A mental health professional must still assess the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of treatment a person receives will depend on the severity of their ADHD symptoms, as well as other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For instance, a history depression or a traumatic experience. A few common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can also help individuals improve their communication skills and solve problems in relationships.