ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects males and females. However, societal expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which could result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of the most frequent untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Problems with Focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more common for both genders but women and those who are who are assigned a female at birth (AFAB) aren't yet being 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 having trouble staying organized or on task, losing important appointments or things, and easily being distracted by work or social occasions. It can be a challenge for women with this disorder to sit and concentrate on their homework or other work at work or school. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattentive ADHD often attempt to hide their symptoms. Others might interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, anger and conflict within relationships. This can result in missed career opportunities and challenges at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may find themselves struggling to manage their challenges at home and at work and this can make it hard to keep afloat when they juggle multiple responsibilities and attempt to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
Many women suffering from ADHD have difficulty focusing and find it difficult to receive emotional support from their family and friends. They can become isolated or develop unhealthy habits that are self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness. This makes them more prone to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. In turn, they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those without the condition. A woman can feel empowered by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. However, getting diagnosed requires that she first see an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly in the workplace. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment with no diagnosis of ADHD struggle with managing their schedules and completing their work. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork or rely on productivity apps to help stay on task. These apps are useful, but cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their families and their homes, which requires a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for failing to meet these demands.
Time management issues can cause frustration both in professional and personal relationships. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the long it takes to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep on top of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to move around and clear your mind. You can also use a timer when working.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you focus on your focus and eliminate distractions. For instance, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, listen to a news story on your smartphone. If you have trouble concentrating while driving, consider switching to a manual-transmission car. You may also want to look into driving without a cellphone to avoid getting distracted by texting or calling.
A mental health professional can help determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options may include medication, such as stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest an approach depending on your symptoms and the current situation in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you to learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while swapping out negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than males. They may struggle to deal with these symptoms, leading to a range of unhealthy behavior. For example, they might resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating patterns to deal with their symptoms. These habits can cause symptoms to worsen. Furthermore women are more prone to be misdiagnosed for these problems. They could receive the wrong treatment which can increase their mood or trigger other problems.
It's important to note that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD such as stress and certain physical conditions 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 for males and females is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to do more household chores and parenting than men. This pressure can cause feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to admit their symptoms to a medical professional because they think they're able to manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD might also be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This can lead to many women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than adults of middle age. The highs in these levels coincided with the peaks in COVID-19 case numbers and occurred in a period of racial justice protests mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and a rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is recognized as an important risk factor for anxiety and depression, so this combination of factors could help explain why these levels have been so constantly raised.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly in their later years. Social isolation can be connected to a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family and friends who can offer support, however many adults struggle to maintain or establish new relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality can affect the likelihood that women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls with ADHD to treatment 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.
These expectations from society for women and girls can also exacerbate their 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 means that women and girls are more prone to being punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms may not be appropriately treated.
Moreover, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels may be lower towards the end and during the ovulation period of the menstrual period and can cause symptoms to become worse for girls and women. In conjunction with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Although it is true that a lot of the same therapies are effective for women suffering from ADHD as they do for males However, a mental health professional will have to take a look at each individual's specific needs and symptoms. The type of therapy that a patient receives will be based on their ADHD symptoms and other factors that might be contributing to their issues, such as a history of depression or trauma. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals learn to alter their negative thoughts and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve problems in their relationships.