ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects men & women. However, social expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also better in hiding their symptoms, which could cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases, lingering stereotypes and comorbidities are all obstacles to a clear diagnosis. Here are a few of the most frequently reported untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were assigned females 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.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items, and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. Women with this disorder may also find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or other work. Women with ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression, or medical problems.
People with inattentive ADHD often attempt to hide their symptoms. alternative adhd treatment for adults can be misinterpreted by others, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. It can lead to missed career opportunities and challenges at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on females. Women may have difficulty to deal with their problems both at home and at the workplace. This can make it difficult to maintain a steady pace while they manage their obligations and try to reach the goals they have set for themselves.
In addition to having difficulty focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. They can become isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that lead to self-defeating behaviors, such as drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable 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 commit suicide or self-harm. Receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel more empowered to take steps to change her life to the best of her abilities. However, getting an diagnosis is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially in the workplace. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD frequently have a hard working through work assignments and coordinating their schedule. They may forget important appointments or paperwork, or rely upon productivity apps to stay on top of things. These apps are useful but they are not a substitute for the ability to organize your life.
Gender roles can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms for women. Women are expected to take care of their home and family and require an amount of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves for not being able to meet these demands.
Time management issues can lead to frustration both in personal and professional relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you underestimate the time it takes to complete your tasks, which can cause you to be late to meetings or other commitments. Use a checklist or a calendar to on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Use frequent breaks to calm your mind and move around.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to stay focused and reduce distractions. Listening to news stories on your phone instead of listening to music or podcasts could be a good alternative to listening to music while working. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, you might consider switching to a car with a manual transmission. You could also consider driving with your cellphone switched off to stop distractions with texting and calls.
A mental health professional can help determine the most effective treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy that your doctor recommends is based on your specific symptoms and what's going on in your life. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you come to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also get couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Females who suffer from ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than men. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviours. As a way to cope with their symptoms, they may resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These habits can cause symptoms to worsen. In addition, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these issues. They may receive the wrong treatment which can make them feel worse or cause other issues.
It's important to note that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD, including stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is essential to consult a mental health professional or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis between women and men is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are usually expected to perform a larger share of parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This pressure can result in feelings of self-doubt and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Additionally, women are less likely to admit their symptoms to a medical professional because they believe they can manage them on their own. Women with ADHD might 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 a lot of women with ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to suffer from more constant high rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. The peaks in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred during a time of protests against racial injustice, mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and a rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are so constant high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD can have trouble making and maintaining friends, especially as they age. Social isolation can be associated with a range of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It can be beneficial to have close family members and friends who can provide support, but many adults struggle to maintain or form new connections.
Societal norms about gender and sex may impact whether or not women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls suffering from ADHD to treatment 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.
The social expectations for girls and women may also exacerbate 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 suffer punishment for symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms may not be treated appropriately.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels are typically lower at the end of and during the ovulation period of a woman's menstrual period which can cause symptoms worse for women and girls. This can cause confusion in adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to recognize and treat them properly.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD However, a mental health professional will still need evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of treatment that a person receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For example the history of depression or trauma. Some common treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, in which individuals are taught to change their negative thoughts and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling, which can help individuals improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.