ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects women and men. However, social expectations & gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also better at masking their symptoms, which could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed 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 frequently reported untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were deemed female 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.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on task, losing important things or appointments and easily being distracted by work or social events. People with this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble falling or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical problem.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to cover them up. People may misinterpret their behavior, causing confusion, anger, and conflict within relationships. It can lead to problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. at work.
In the end, the consequences of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women can be having to deal with their challenges at home and at work, which can make it difficult to stay afloat as they juggle many responsibilities and strive to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD struggle to focus and also struggle to get emotional support from family members and close friends. They can become isolated or develop unhealthy habits that lead to self-defeating behaviors, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This can make them more prone to stress, physical illnesses and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. In turn, they are more likely to turn to suicide or self-injury as compared to those who don't suffer from the condition. Being diagnosed can help women feel more confident in taking steps to change her life to the best of her abilities. However, obtaining a diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing a qualified healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and efficient treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly in the workplace. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD frequently have a hard to complete work tasks and managing their daily schedule. They may miss appointments, lose important documents, or depend on productivity apps to help them stay on task. adhd symptoms and treatment in adults can be helpful but they are not able to substitute for the need for strong organization skills.
The gender roles expectations can amplify the impact of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to take care of their home and family, which requires some degree of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of guilt and shame in women who suffer from ADHD who attempt to meet those demands and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Time management issues can result in frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. The symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how you will take to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a calendar to the track of deadlines if you're often late for meetings or other events. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also apply mindfulness techniques to remain focused and reduce distractions. For instance, instead listening to podcasts or music while working, listen to a news story on your mobile. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, you might consider changing to a vehicle with a manual transmission. You may also want to consider driving without your cellphone in order to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
If untreated adhd in adults uk with ADHD, the mental health professional can suggest treatments and strategies for coping. Treatment options include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on your specific needs and the circumstances in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing your negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also get couples or family therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than males. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviours. In order to deal with their symptoms, they might use substances or develop unhealthy eating habits. These habits can cause symptoms to worsen. Women are also more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. As a result, they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and cause other problems.
It's essential to be aware that stress, certain physical ailments, and illnesses can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. It is important to speak with a mental health professional or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis for males and females is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are generally expected to take on more parenting and household duties than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional due to the belief that they can handle the symptoms on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors like 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 era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. These peaks 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 either in the form of chronic or recent, has been proven to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are constant high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can have trouble making and keeping friends, especially as they age. Social isolation can lead to health issues like high blood pressure or chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family and friends who can offer support, but many adults struggle to maintain or make new connections.
The social norms surrounding gender and sex may impact whether or not women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, parents or teachers were less likely than men to recommend girls to services 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 for girls and women 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. Women and girls are more likely to experience punishment for symptoms of ADHD such as inattention and disorganization. It is possible that they are misdiagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms may not be properly treated.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels can be lower at the end and during the ovulation phase of the menstrual period which can cause symptoms worse for women and girls. This can cause confusion among adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to diagnose and treat them appropriately.
Although many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The type of treatment that a person receives depends on their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors the cause of their issues. For instance the history of depression or trauma. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals learn to alter their negative thoughts and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling, which can help individuals improve communication and resolve problems in their relationships.