ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD 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 cause them to be not diagnosed or delayed in getting treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral biases internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few female adult symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include forgetting important appointments or things, and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. It can also be hard for a woman with this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other work at school or work. In some cases, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical issue.
People who have inattention ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. Their behavior can be misinterpreted by others, resulting in conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. This can result in difficulties in their careers and a lack of opportunities at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on female adults. Women may have difficulty to manage their issues both at home and at the workplace. This could make it difficult to stay afloat while they manage their tasks and strive to meet the goals they set for them.
Many women suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and are unable to receive emotional support from family members and friends. They may become lonely or develop unhealthy habits that lead to self-defeating behaviors like drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also experience internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This can make them more susceptible to stress, physical illness and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. This means they are more likely to turn to self-injury or suicide than those who don't suffer from the condition. Being diagnosed can make a woman feel more empowered to take steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. To be diagnosed the woman should first speak with a qualified health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women with undiagnosed ADHD have a difficult time managing their schedules and completing their work. They may miss appointments, lose important documents or use productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps can be helpful but they cannot replace good organizational skills.
The gender roles expectations can amplify the impact of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to take care of their family and home, which requires an amount of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. The pressures from society can cause women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for not being able to meet these demands.
Problems with time management can cause frustration both in personal and professional relationships. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how time it takes to finish a task, causing 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 on top of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and get moving.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to remain focused and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of listening to music or podcasts is an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, think about switching to a car with manual transmission. It is also possible to drive with your cell phone turned off to stop distractions with texting and calls.
A mental health professional can help you determine the most effective treatment and coping method for ADHD. Treatment options include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest the appropriate therapy based on your symptoms and the current circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also see k out couples or family therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD have higher levels of anxiety and depression than males. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, which could result in a range of unhealthy behavior. As a way to cope with their symptoms, they may resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These actions can make symptoms worse. Women are more likely to have these problems misdiagnosed. This means that they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other issues.
It's crucial to know that stress, physical conditions 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 suspect that this difference in the rate of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are expected to do more household chores and parenting than men. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to report their symptoms to a medical professional because they think they can handle them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely than others to blame their symptoms, like sleep issues or stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that a lot of women suffering from ADHD are undiagnosed in adulthood.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 epidemic has been particularly challenging for young adults. They have higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle age. These highs coincided with cases of COVID-19 and occurred during a time where protests against racial discrimination were taking place, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine, recurrent catastrophes and rising unemployment. Stress exposure either in the form of chronic or recent, is known to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are so persistently high.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family and friends who can offer assistance, but many adults struggle to keep or make new connections.
The social norms that surround gender and sexual orientation can have an influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, parents or teachers were less likely than boys to refer 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 of women and girls may increase the severity of 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 suffer punishment for symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be mistakenly diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be appropriately treated.
Moreover, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels may be lower at the end and during ovulation of the menstrual cycle which can cause symptoms more severe for females and girls. This can cause confusion among adolescents, especially when combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women suffering from ADHD, a mental healthcare professional must still assess the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of therapy that a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and other factors that may contribute to their issues, such as an experience of trauma or depression. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals are taught to change their negative thinking patterns and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling which can help couples improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.