ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a problem that affects both men and women, but the expectations of society and gender roles can make it more difficult for them to get diagnosed. Women are also able to mask their symptoms more effectively, which could lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases, lingering stereotypes and comorbidities could all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are a few of most common untreated adhd in female adults.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and people who were deemed female at birth are still underdiagnosed 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items that are important, and getting easily distracted by social or work occasions. It can be a challenge for a woman with this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other tasks at school or work. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression, or medical problems.
People with inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to compensate for them. Their behavior can be misinterpreted by others, resulting in conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. In the workplace, it can lead to problems in the workplace and missed opportunities.
As a result, the consequences of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women can be struggling to cope with their problems at home as well as at work and this can make it difficult for them to keep afloat when they manage multiple responsibilities and attempt to meet the goals they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. In the end they may become lonely or develop self-defeating patterns, such as alcohol abuse.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms such as low self-esteem or feelings of guilt shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more susceptible to stress, physical illnesses and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In turn, they are more likely to suicide or self-injury than those who don't suffer from the condition. A woman can be encouraged by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. However, obtaining an diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder time following through on work assignments and coordinating their daily schedule. They may forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or rely on productivity apps to help them keep track of their tasks. These apps can be useful but they are not able to replace the need for good organization skills.
The gender-based expectations of women can also exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. Society expects women to take care of their home and family, which requires an amount of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame for women with ADHD who attempt to meet those demands which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Problems with time management can cause frustration both in professional and personal relationships. The symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how long it takes to finish a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. long-term effects of untreated adhd in adults I Am Psychiatry might want to consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and get moving.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to stay focused and reduce distractions. Watching news stories on your phone 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 may also want to consider driving without your cellphone to avoid getting distracted by texting or calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, the mental health professional can recommend treatment and coping strategies. Treatment options include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and the circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also receive family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They may struggle to deal with these issues, leading to a range of unhealthy behavior. As a way to cope with their symptoms, they might resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These actions can worsen symptoms. Women are also more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. They may be given the wrong treatment which can increase their mood or trigger other issues.
It's important to recognize that many factors can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD such as stress and certain physical ailments 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 difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis between males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are generally expected to take on the majority of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This pressure can cause feelings of self-doubt and can lead to distorted beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional due to the belief that they're able to manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD may also be more likely than other people to blame their problems on external factors, such as lack of sleep or 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 epidemic has been particularly difficult for young adults. They tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle years. These highs coincided with COVID-19-related cases and occurred at a time when protests against racism were on the rise, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is recognized as an important risk factor for anxiety and depression and this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been constantly raised.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation can be associated with a range of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family and friends who can provide support, but many adults have difficulty maintaining or form new connections.
The social norms that surround gender and sexuality can have an influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, parents and teachers 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.
These societal expectations for women and girls can cause them to develop 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 prone to being punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. Consequently, they might be mistakenly diagnosed as having depression or anxiety or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Moreover, hormone fluctuations can further amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of their menstrual cycle and during ovulation, which can make girls' and women's symptoms appear to be more severe. This can lead to confusion in adolescents, especially when combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
While it is true that a number of the same therapies work for women with ADHD as they do for males, a mental health professional will need to evaluate each individual's particular needs and symptoms. The type of therapy a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and other factors that may contribute to their difficulties, such as a history of depression or trauma. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals learn to alter their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.