ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is an illness that affects women and men. However, societal expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women may also hide their symptoms better, which can lead them to be misdiagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create roadblocks to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of most frequent untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Problems with Focusing
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more common for both genders, 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.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include difficulty staying organized or on track, ignoring important dates or items, and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. It can be difficult for women with this disorder to sit down and concentrate on assignments or other tasks at work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression, or medical problems.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. People may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, anger, and conflict within relationships. This can result in problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. in the workplace.
This is why the impact of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women may find themselves struggling to cope with their challenges at home and at work and this can make it hard to stay on top of their game as they manage many responsibilities and strive to reach the goals they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. They may become lonely, or develop unhealthy patterns that lead to self-defeating behaviors like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This can make them more prone to physical and mental stressors and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. In turn, they are more likely to suicide or self-injury as compared to those who don't suffer from the condition. Receiving a diagnosis can help a woman feel more confident in taking steps to change her life for the better. To be diagnosed the woman should first consult a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD frequently have a hard time following through on tasks at work and managing their schedule. They might forget important documents or appointments or rely on productivity apps to stay on top of things. These apps are useful, but cannot replace good organizational skills.
Gender roles can amplify the impact of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their family and home, which requires a certain level of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame for women with ADHD who attempt to fulfill these expectations which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Troubles with time management could cause frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimate the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late to meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a planner to track deadlines if you are often late for events. Use frequent breaks to calm your mind and move around.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to stay focused and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, listen to an article on your mobile. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, you might consider switching to a car with manual transmission. You could also consider driving with your cellphone switched off to stop distracted texting and calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can suggest treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest the appropriate therapy based on your symptoms and the current situation in your life. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing your negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. They can struggle to cope with these symptoms, leading to a range of unhealthy behaviors. In order to deal with their symptoms, they could use substances or develop unhealthy eating habits. These actions can make symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. As adult adhd diagnosis and treatment , they receive the wrong treatment which may further aggravate their mood and lead to other problems.
It's important to remember that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD, including stress as well as certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the rate of ADHD diagnosis for women and men is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to do more household and parenting tasks than men. This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and dysfunctional beliefs, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to report their symptoms to a healthcare professional because they believe they should be able to manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD might also be more likely than other people to blame their problems on external factors, such as lack of sleep or stress. This could contribute to the fact that a lot of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who are more likely to suffer from more constant high levels of depression and anxiety than middle-aged adults. These peaks coincided with COVID-19-related cases and were occurring at a time when there were racial injustice protests and mass shootings, a decade of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is recognized as a risk factor for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been persistently elevated.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to have difficulty finding and maintaining friendships, especially as they age. Social isolation can lead to health issues like high blood pressure or chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who offer support can be helpful but many adults find that they are unable to make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
Societal norms about gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, parents or teachers were less likely than males to recommend girls to services 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.
The expectations of society for women and girls can 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 girls and women more likely to be penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD such as disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels can be lower at the end of and during the ovulation period of the menstrual period and can cause symptoms to become more severe for females and girls. In conjunction with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can cause confusion about their symptoms, making it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Although many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still have to evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment a person receives is based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that could be contributing to their problems. For instance, a history trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals are taught to change their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones, and couples counseling that can help people improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.