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 more adept in hiding their symptoms, which can cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persistent stereotypes and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are some of females' symptoms that aren't treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were assigned females 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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by work or social events. People with this disorder may also find it difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork or other activities. In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble getting or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical condition.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to make up for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. This can result in missed career opportunities and challenges in the workplace.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on female adults. Women can find themselves struggling to manage their challenges at home and at work, which can make it hard to keep afloat when they manage many responsibilities and strive to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD have difficulty focusing and are unable to receive emotional support from their family and friends. As a result, they can become isolated or develop self-defeating patterns, such as alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD might also experience internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. This makes them more prone to physical and mental stress and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than people who don't have the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. Receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel more confident in taking steps to change her life for the better. However, obtaining a 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, especially at work. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult time following through on tasks at work and managing their schedule. They may miss appointments, misplace important paperwork, or depend on productivity apps to help them remain on track. These apps can be useful, but they cannot replace the need for solid organization skills.
The gender-based expectations of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their family and home which requires some degree of coordination that those with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society could make women with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves for not being able to meet these demands.
Time management issues can cause frustration in relationships both professional and personal. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimate the time it takes to complete a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a calendar to track deadlines if you are often late for meetings or other events. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also practice mindfulness techniques to help you focus on your task and reduce distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of listening to music or podcasts can be an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, think about changing to a vehicle with manual transmission. You might also want to look into driving without a cellphone to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
Once you are diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can recommend treatment and coping strategies. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults of therapy that your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and what's going on in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also get family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD often report higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, which can result in a range of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating habits as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can worsen symptoms. Women are also more likely to get problems that are not diagnosed. As a result, they are treated incorrectly, which can further worsen their mood and trigger other issues.
It's important to recognize that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD like stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. It is essential to consult a mental health professional or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis among males and females is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are usually expected to perform 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 lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to tell doctors about their symptoms and believe that they are able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD may also be more likely than other people to blame their symptoms, like sleep issues or stress. This could lead to a lot of women with ADHD not being diagnosed until they reach adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. The highs in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time of racial justice protests mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and rising unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is recognized as an important risk factor for anxiety and depression, so this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been persistently elevated.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD might have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation is linked to a variety of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family members and friends who can provide support, but many adults struggle to maintain or make new connections.
The social norms relating to gender and sex can influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, teachers and parents were less likely to refer girls with 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 may also 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 likely to be punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Furthermore, hormone fluctuations can further amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels may be lower towards the end and during ovulation of the menstrual period, which can make symptoms worse for girls and women. When combined with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Although many of the same treatment options are available to women suffering from ADHD However, a mental health professional must still assess the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of therapy that a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties like the history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, where people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve problems in their relationships.