ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both men & women. However, societal expectations & gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also better in hiding their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases persistent stereotypes and comorbidities are all obstacles to a clear diagnosis. Here are a few females' symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were assigned female 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.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on track, ignoring important things or appointments and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. Women with this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other work. Women with ADHD can have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because of anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattention ADHD often attempt to hide their symptoms. Others may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, and conflict within relationships. This can result in difficulties in their careers and a lack of opportunities at work.
This is why the consequences of untreated ADHD in females who are adults can be devastating. Women can find themselves struggling to manage their difficulties at home and at work, which can make it hard to stay on top of their game as they juggle multiple responsibilities and try to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD struggle to focus and also struggle to get emotional support from family members and friends. They may feel isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms like low self esteem or feelings of guilt shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more prone to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who do not have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. A woman can be encouraged by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. To get a diagnosis the woman should first consult a licensed health professional for an evaluation 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 day-to-day schedule and completing work tasks. They may miss appointments, lose important documents, or rely on productivity apps to help keep track of their tasks. adhd symptoms in adults treatment can be helpful however they aren't able to substitute for the need for strong organization skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. Women are required to look after their homes and families and homes, which require a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of self-reflection and shame in women with ADHD who are trying to meet these demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. symptoms of adhd in adults treatment of ADHD can make you underestimate how time it takes to complete a task, which can cause you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a calendar to the track of deadlines if you're often late for meetings or other events. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you stay focused on your the task and avoid distractions. For instance, instead of listening to podcasts or music while working, play the news on your smartphone. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, consider switching to a car that has manual transmission. You can also consider driving with your cell phone turned off to stop distracted texting and calling.
A mental health professional can help you determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options may include medication, such as stimulants, and psychotherapy. The type 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 negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also seek out couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD have higher levels of anxiety and depression than males. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behaviours. For example, they might turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating patterns to deal with their symptoms. These behaviors can make symptoms worse. Furthermore, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for these issues. They may be given the wrong treatment, which could worsen their mood or cause other issues.
It's important to note that many factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD, including stress as well as certain physical conditions and illnesses. It's important to consult an expert in mental health or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are typically expected to take on the majority of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This can cause feelings of low self-esteem and dysfunctional beliefs, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
In addition, women may be less likely to admit their symptoms to a medical professional because they think they should be able to handle them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their problems on external factors, like sleep issues or stress. This could contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 epidemic has been particularly challenging for young adults. They tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle years. 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 other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are persistently high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty making and maintaining friends particularly as they get older. Social isolation can be linked to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who can provide support can be beneficial but many adults find that they are unable to make new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
The social norms relating to gender and sex can impact on whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. 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 expectations from society for women and girls 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 women and girls more likely to be punished for having ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. This means that they may be mistakenly diagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms may not be properly treated.
Moreover, hormone fluctuations can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of their menstrual cycle and during ovulation, and this can cause girls' and women's symptoms get worse. This can cause confusion in adolescents, especially when they are combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to recognize and treat them properly.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women suffering from ADHD However, a mental health professional will still have to evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The type of therapy that a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms and other factors that may contribute to their difficulties, such as a history of depression or trauma. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, in which people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling, which can help individuals improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.