ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, however, societal expectations and gender roles often make it more difficult for them to be diagnosed. Women are also better at masking their symptoms, which can cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of most frequently reported untreated adhd females.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Women and those who were assigned 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 events. Women suffering from this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD may have trouble sleeping or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical issue.
People with inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. Others might misinterpret their behavior, causing confusion, frustration, and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it can result in missed opportunities and career challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on female adults. Women may find themselves having to deal with their problems at home as well as at work, which can make it difficult to keep afloat when they juggle multiple responsibilities and try to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may become lonely or develop unhealthy habits that lead to self-defeating behaviors like drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem and feelings shame, guilt or worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical illness, stress 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. A diagnosis can help women feel more empowered to take steps to change her life for the better. To receive a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a qualified healthcare provider for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially at work. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD frequently have a hard time following through on work tasks and managing their schedule. They might forget important appointments or paperwork or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be useful but they are not able to replace the need for solid organizational skills.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are required to look after their families and their homes which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can trigger feelings of self-reflection and shame for women with ADHD who attempt to meet these demands 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 to underestimating the time it takes to complete a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're frequently late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep the track of deadlines. Take breaks frequently to move around and clear your mind, and use a timer when working.
You can also practice mindfulness techniques to help you focus on your focus and eliminate distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, listen to an article on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, you might consider switching to a car with a manual transmission. You may also want to think about driving without your phone to avoid being distracted by texting or making calls.
A mental health professional can help you determine the best treatment and coping strategy for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends is based on your specific symptoms and the current state of your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you to accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also get family or couples therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. They may struggle to deal with these symptoms, leading to a variety of unhealthy behaviours. For instance, they could turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating habits to deal with their symptoms. These behaviors can make the symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to have problems that are not diagnosed. This means that they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other problems.
It's essential to be aware that stress, certain physical conditions and illnesses can trigger symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in ADHD diagnoses between men and women is due to a mixture of biological and socially constructed roles. Women are expected to take on more household and parenting work than men. This can result in feelings of low self esteem and untrue beliefs that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to admit their symptoms to a healthcare 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 others to blame their symptoms, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This could lead to a lot of women with ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who tend to have more persistently high levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. These highs coincided with COVID-19-related cases and occurred during a time where there were racial injustice protests, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Stress exposure as a whole, whether it is chronic or recent, is known to cause depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could be the reason why these levels are so consistently 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 be linked to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family and friends who are able to provide assistance, but many adults struggle to maintain or establish new relationships.
Societal norms about gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they require. 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.
These expectations from society 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 be the victims of punishment for ADHD-related symptoms such as inattention and disorganization. Consequently, they might be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can also cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of menstrual cycles and during ovulation. This can make women's and girls' symptoms appear to be more severe. Combined with hormonal changes in adolescence, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it harder for them to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women suffering from ADHD A mental health professional will still need evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The type of therapy that a patient receives will depend on both their ADHD symptoms and any other factors that could be contributing to their issues like the history of depression or trauma. iampsychiatry include cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals learn to alter their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones, and couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.