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 in hiding their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias persisting stereotypes, and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a proper diagnosis. Here are a few of most frequently reported untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Problems with Focusing
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more common in males and females, women and people who are assigned a 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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include forgetting important appointments or things that are important, and getting easily distracted by work or social occasions. People with this disorder might also have difficulty to concentrate on their schoolwork or other activities. In some instances, women with ADHD may have trouble getting or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical problem.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to compensate for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, resulting in misunderstandings, frustration and conflict in their relationships. It could result in problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on females. Women may find themselves struggling to manage their challenges at home and at work, which can make it hard to stay on top of their game as they manage many responsibilities and strive to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
In treatment for adhd in adults uk to having difficulty focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They can become isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that can be self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. 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 suicide or self-injury as compared to those who do not suffer from the condition. A diagnosis can make a woman feel more confident in taking steps to transform her life for the better. However, getting an diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and efficient treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder working through work tasks and managing their daily schedule. They may miss appointments, lose important documents or depend on productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps are helpful but they cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The gender-based expectations of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their homes and families, which requires a certain level of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can make women with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves for failing to fulfill these expectations.
Problems with time management can cause frustration both in personal and professional relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to complete a task, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. You might want to consider using 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 try mindfulness techniques to help you focus on your task and reduce distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to a news story on your phone. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, try switching to a manual-transmission car. You may also want to look into driving without a cellphone to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
A mental health professional can help find the best treatment and coping method for ADHD. Treatment options can include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy that your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and what's going on in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you come to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also seek out family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a range of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can worsen symptoms. Furthermore women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. They may be given the wrong treatment that could worsen their mood or cause other problems.
It's important to remember that many factors can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD, including stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is essential to consult an expert in mental health or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to perform more household and parenting tasks than men. This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and dysfunctional beliefs, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to admit their symptoms to a healthcare professional because they believe they're able to handle them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes like a lack of sleep or stress. This could contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who are more likely to suffer from more constant high rates of anxiety and depression than adults of middle age. The peaks in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred in a period of racial justice protests, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and rising unemployment. Stress exposure as a whole, whether it is chronic or recent, is known to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors could be the reason why these levels are so persistently high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, particularly in their later years. 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 offer assistance can be beneficial, but many adults find that they are unable to make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexual orientation can have an impact on whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, teachers or parents were less likely than boys 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 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 likely to be penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. It is possible that they are misdiagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated properly.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels can be lower towards the end and during the ovulation period of a woman's menstrual period and can cause symptoms to become more severe for females and girls. untreated adhd in female adults can cause confusion among adolescents, especially when they are combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to recognize and treat them properly.
While it is true that a lot of the same treatment options are effective for women suffering from ADHD as they do for males, a mental health professional will be required to assess each person's particular needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment that a person receives depends on their ADHD symptoms, as along with other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties. For instance trauma, a history of depression or a traumatic experience. Some popular treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to alter their negative thinking patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can help individuals improve their communication skills and solve issues in their relationships.
