ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects males and females. However, social expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also able to mask their symptoms better, which can cause them to be misdiagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities all contribute to obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of female adult symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and people who were deemed female at birth are not yet 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by social or work occasions. People with this disorder might also have difficulty to focus on schoolwork or other work. In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical problem.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to cover them up. Others may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, frustration, and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it can cause lost opportunities and career challenges.
In the end, the effects of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women can be struggling to manage their difficulties at home and 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.
In addition to having difficulty in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may feel isolated or develop unhealthy habits that are self-defeating like drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms such as low self esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical and mental stressors and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. As a result, they are more likely to suicide or self-injury as compared to those without the condition. Being diagnosed can help a woman feel more empowered to take steps to change her life to the best of her abilities. To receive a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a qualified health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. adhd symptoms in adults treatment can be difficult to manage, especially at work. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD have a difficult time managing their day-to-day schedule and completing work-related tasks. They might forget important paperwork or appointments or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be useful however they aren't able to replace the need for solid organization skills.
Gender role expectations can also increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are required to look after their homes and families which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers have to work hard to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of self-reflection and shame among women with ADHD who are trying to fulfill these expectations and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Troubles with time management could result in frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. If you're frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklists to keep the track of deadlines. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and get moving.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you stay on the task and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of listening to music or podcasts could be an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, try switching to a manual transmission vehicle. You might also want to think about driving without your phone to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
Once you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatments and coping strategies. Treatment options include medication, such as stimulants, and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy that your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and the circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing destructive patterns of behavior with healthier ones. You can also get family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between your family members.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females with ADHD are more prone to depression and anxiety than males. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, and this can lead to a variety of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could 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 likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. As a result, they are treated in the wrong way which can further aggravate their mood and lead to other issues.
It's important that you know that stress, physical ailments and illnesses can trigger symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. It's important to consult an expert in mental health or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in ADHD diagnoses between women and men is due to a mixture of socially and biologically imposed roles. Women are usually expected to perform a larger share of parenting and household duties than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and untrue beliefs that can worsen ADHD symptoms.
Furthermore, women may be less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional due to the belief that they should be able to handle the symptoms on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors such as lack of sleep or stress. This can contribute to the fact that a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for young adults. They have higher levels of depression and anxiety than adults in their mid-life. The highs in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred in a period of racial justice protests, mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and the rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is known to be a risk cause for depression and anxiety and this combination of factors could explain why these levels have been persistently increased.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can have trouble finding and maintaining friendships particularly as they age. Social isolation is connected to a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. The presence of close family and friends members who provide support can be helpful however, many adults discover that they simply can't make new friends or maintain their current relationships.
The social norms that surround gender and sexuality can have an impact on whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls suffering from 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 could 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. Girls and women are more likely to experience the consequences of ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be appropriately treated.
Moreover, hormone fluctuations can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels can be lower at the end of and during the ovulation period of the menstrual cycle, which can make symptoms worse for girls and women. When combined with hormonal changes during adolescence, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD A mental health professional must still assess the individual's needs and symptoms. The kind of therapy a person receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and other factors that might be contributing to their difficulties, such as an experience of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to change their negative thought patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can help individuals improve their communication and resolve issues in their relationships.