ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both males and females. However, social expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also more adept in hiding their symptoms, which could result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the most common untreated adhd in female adults.
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) 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include not remembering important appointments or things that are important, and getting easily distracted by social or work events. People with this disorder may also find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or other tasks. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or medical issues.
People with inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to cover them up. Others may not understand their behavior, leading to confusion, frustration and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it can cause problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
As a result, the impact of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women can find themselves having to deal with their problems at home as well as at work, which can make it difficult for them to stay afloat as they juggle many responsibilities and strive to reach the goals they set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD have trouble focusing and are unable to receive emotional support from family members and friends. In the end, they can become isolated or develop self-defeating habits that are unhealthy, such as alcohol abuse.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem or feelings of guilt shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more susceptible to physical illness, stress as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. They are more likely than those who do not have the condition to take self-harm or commit suicide. A woman may feel empowered by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. However, getting an diagnosis requires that she first consult a qualified healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and efficient treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage at work, particularly. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder to complete tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They might forget important paperwork or appointments or rely on productivity apps to stay on top of things. These apps can be helpful, but they cannot replace the need for good organizational skills.
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 some degree of coordination that those with ADHD struggle to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of self-reflection and shame among women with ADHD who try to meet these demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration, both in professional and personal relationships. The symptoms of ADHD can make you underestimate how you will take to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you are frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep track of deadlines. Use frequent breaks to calm your mind and get moving.
You can also try mindfulness techniques to help you stay focused on your task and reduce distractions. Listening to news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts is an alternative to music while working. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, try switching to a manual transmission vehicle. It is also possible to drive with your phone off to avoid distractions with texting and calls.
A mental health professional can help find the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment will recommend the appropriate therapy according to your health issues and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you to accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also get family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females who suffer from ADHD are more prone to depression and anxiety than men. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, and this can cause a variety of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating habits to deal with their symptoms. These behaviors can make the symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to have problems that are not diagnosed. They may be given the wrong treatment that could worsen their mood or cause other problems.
It's important to recognize that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD such as stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. This is why it's crucial to see a medical practitioner or a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis among women and men is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are usually expected to take on a larger share of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This pressure can result in feelings of low self-esteem and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a healthcare professional because they think they can manage them on their own. Women with ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than middle-aged adults. These highs coincided with COVID-19 cases and were occurring at a time when protests against racial discrimination were taking place and mass shootings, years of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, has been proven to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors may explain why these levels are so consistently high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can have trouble finding and maintaining friendships particularly as they get older. Social isolation can cause health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who can provide support can be helpful however, many adults discover that they simply can't make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sex may impact the likelihood that women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. 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.
The expectations of society for girls and women 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. Women and girls are more likely to experience the consequences of ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. It is possible that they are misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms may not be treated appropriately.
Furthermore, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of their menstrual cycle and during ovulation, and this can make women's and girls' symptoms appear worse. This can cause confusion in adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
Although many of the same treatments are available to women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still have to evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment that a person receives will depend on the severity of their ADHD symptoms, as well as other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For instance the 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, and couples counseling which can help couples improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.