ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both women and men. However, the expectations of society and gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also better in minimizing their symptoms, which can result in a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral biases persisting stereotypes, and comorbidities can all be obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are a few of most frequent untreated adhd female adults symptoms.
1. Trouble focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more prevalent in boys and men, women and people who are assigned a female at birth (AFAB) aren't yet being diagnosed for the condition. 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.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on track, ignoring important appointments or things, and easily being distracted by social or work events. It can also be hard for women with this disorder to sit down and focus on homework or other assignments at work or school. In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty falling or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical issue.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and try to make up for them. Others might not understand their behavior, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it could cause lost opportunities and career challenges.
As a result, the effects of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women may have difficulty to manage their issues both at home and at the workplace. This can make it difficult to stay afloat while they take on multiple obligations and try to reach the goals that they set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD have trouble focusing and are unable to receive emotional support from family members and friends. They may feel isolated or develop unhealthy habits that can be self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, like low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to physical illness, stress and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This means they are more likely to turn to self-injury or suicide than those who don't suffer from the condition. A woman can feel empowered by a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. However, obtaining diagnosed is a prerequisite for seeing an expert in healthcare to conduct a thorough examination and efficient treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage in the workplace, especially. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult time following through on tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They may miss appointments, lose important documents, or use productivity apps to help them keep track of their tasks. These apps are useful but they cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The gender-based expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to care for their families and their homes, which requires a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This pressure from society could make women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for failing to fulfill these expectations.
Troubles with time management could cause frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. Symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how time it takes to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a calendar to the track of deadlines if you're often late for events. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you stay focused on your focus and eliminate distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to an article on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate when driving, you can switch to a manual transmission car. You may also want to think about driving without your phone to avoid getting distracted by texting or calling.
A mental health professional can assist you to determine the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants and psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest the appropriate therapy based on your symptoms and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you to accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also get family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between you and your family members.
3. homesite and anxiety
Females with ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than men. They may have difficulty coping with these symptoms, leading to a variety of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a means of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these conditions. They may be given the wrong treatment which can increase their mood or trigger other problems.
It's important to note that many factors can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD like stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. It's important to consult a mental health professional or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the rate of ADHD diagnosis between women and men is due to a combination of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to take on more household and parenting work than men. This can cause feelings of self-esteem loss and dysfunctional beliefs, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional because they believe they're able to handle the symptoms on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors, such as a lack of sleep or stress. This can contribute to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 timeframe has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to suffer from more constant high levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. These highs coincided with COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time where protests against racial discrimination were taking place, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Stress exposure either in the form of chronic or recent, has been proven to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors may explain why these levels are consistently high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD can have trouble making and maintaining friends particularly as they get older. Social isolation is connected to a myriad of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. The presence of close family and friends members who can provide assistance can be beneficial however, many adults discover that they can't form new friends or maintain their current 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, teachers or parents were less likely than boys to recommend 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.
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 experience punishment for ADHD-related symptoms such as inattention and disorganization. In the end, they could be mistakenly diagnosed as having anxiety or a mood disorder and their ADHD symptoms may not be treated appropriately.
In addition hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, which can cause girls' and women's symptoms get worse. This can cause confusion among adolescents, especially when combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to diagnose and treat them appropriately.
While many of the same treatments are available to women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional must still assess each person's individual needs and symptoms. The type of treatment that a person receives will depend on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For example, a history depression or trauma. Some popular treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to alter their negative thought patterns and switch them to healthier ones. Couples counseling can assist individuals to improve their communication and resolve problems in relationships.