ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both women and men. However, social expectations and gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also able to mask their symptoms more effectively, which could lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases persisting stereotypes, and comorbidities are all obstacles to a clear diagnosis. Here are some of female adults' symptoms that aren't being treated for adhd.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women and those who were assigned female at birth are still underdiagnosed 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 events. It can be a challenge for a woman with this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other work at work or school. In some cases, people who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty getting or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical problem.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to make up for them. Their behavior may be misinterpreted by others, resulting in confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. It could result in problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may have difficulty to cope with their difficulties both at home and at the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to stay afloat while they juggle their multiple obligations and try to reach the goals that they set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD have difficulty focusing and also are unable to receive emotional support from their family and friends. In the end, they can become isolated or develop self-defeating habits that are unhealthy, such as alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD can also experience internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical illness, stress as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. They are more likely than people who do not have the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. A woman may be encouraged by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. To receive a diagnosis the woman should first consult a licensed healthcare professional for an assessment and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult time following through on work tasks and managing their schedule. They may forget appointments, lose important documents, or depend on productivity apps to help keep track of their tasks. These apps can be useful, but they cannot replace the need for good organizational skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their family and home and require a certain level of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can trigger feelings of shame and self-blame in women who suffer from ADHD who attempt to meet these demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Time management issues can lead to frustration, both in professional and personal relationships. The symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how long 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 track of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to focus and cut down on distractions. Listening to iampsychiatry on your smartphone instead of music or podcasts could be a good alternative to listening to music while working. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, think about switching to a car with a manual transmission. You could also consider driving with your phone off to prevent distracted texting and calling.
A mental health professional can help find the best treatment and coping strategy for ADHD. Treatment options may include medications, like stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will be based on the specific symptoms you have and what's going on in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, can help you accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also seek family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females with ADHD report higher levels anxiety and depression than males. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a range of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating habits as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These actions can make symptoms worse. Additionally, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. In the end, they are treated incorrectly, which can further worsen their mood and trigger other problems.
It's crucial to know that stress, certain physical ailments, and illnesses can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. That's why it's essential to consult a health care provider or mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the difference in ADHD diagnoses between women and men is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed roles. Women are generally expected to assume a larger share of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and lead to dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to tell the doctor about their issues, believing that they are able to manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes like a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that many women with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. The peaks in these levels coincided with a spike in COVID-19 case numbers and occurred during a time of protests against racial injustice, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and the rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, is known to cause depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could explain why these levels are so constant high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, especially in adulthood. Social isolation can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who offer support can be beneficial however, many adults discover that they can't form new friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms that surround gender and sexuality can have an affect whether women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, teachers and parents 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 women and girls can 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. Women and girls are more likely to be the victims of the consequences of ADHD-related symptoms such as inattention and disorganization. They could be misdiagnosed as having mood disorders or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Moreover, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of menstrual cycles and during ovulation, and this can make girls' and women's symptoms appear worse. In conjunction with hormonal changes during the adolescent years, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Although it is true that many of the same treatments work for women with ADHD as they do for males, a mental health professional will need to evaluate each individual's particular needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms, as along with other factors contributing to their difficulties. For example trauma, a history of depression or trauma. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, where individuals learn to alter their negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones, as well as couples counseling which can help couples improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.