ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men and women, however, societal expectations and gender roles can make it more difficult for them to recognize the signs. Women are also able to mask their symptoms more effectively, which could cause them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of female adult symptoms that aren't being treated for adhd.
1. Trouble focusing
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more prevalent in males and females, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are not yet 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.
The signs of inattention ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on task, forgetting important things or appointments and being easily distracted by work or social occasions. It can be difficult for women suffering from this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other assignments at work or school. In some cases, women with ADHD may have trouble sleeping or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical issue.
People with inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. People may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to confusion, frustration and conflict in relationships. In the workplace, it could result in lost opportunities and career challenges.
This is why the impact of untreated ADHD for females can be devastating. Women may have a difficult time to manage their issues both at home and in the workplace. This could make it difficult to maintain a steady pace while they juggle their multiple tasks and strive to meet the goals that they set for themselves.
In addition to having trouble focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. As a result they may become lonely or develop self-defeating habits that are unhealthy like alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation. This makes them more vulnerable to stress, physical illnesses and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than people who do not have the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. A diagnosis can make a woman feel more empowered to take steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. However, getting diagnosed requires that she first see an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly in the workplace. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD have trouble managing their schedules and completing work-related tasks. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or use productivity apps to help them keep track of their tasks. These apps can be helpful but they are not able to replace the need for solid organization skills.
Gender role expectations can also amplify the impact of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their family and home which requires an amount of coordination that people with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can trigger feelings of guilt and shame for women who suffer from ADHD who attempt to fulfill these expectations and cause them to hide their symptoms.
Time management problems can lead to frustration both in personal and professional relationships. The signs of ADHD can make you underestimate how time it takes to complete a task, leading you to be late for meetings or other commitments. You might want to consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are often late for meetings or other events. Make sure to take frequent breaks to move around and relax your mind. Also, employ a timer when you work.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to remain focused and avoid distractions. For instance, instead listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to the news on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate when driving, you can switch to a manual transmission vehicle. adhd treatment for adults near me is also possible to drive with your phone off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.
A mental health professional can help find the best treatment and coping strategies for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy that your doctor recommends is based on your specific symptoms and what's going on in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while changing your negative patterns of behavior for healthier ones. You can also receive couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they may resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating patterns as a way of dealing with their symptoms. These behaviors can make the symptoms worse. Furthermore women are more prone to be misdiagnosed for these problems. This means that they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and cause other problems.
It's important to note that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms to those of ADHD, including stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. That's why it's essential to consult a health care specialist or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis between women and men is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to take on more household and parenting tasks than men. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can cause symptoms of ADHD.
Women may also be less likely than men to inform doctors about their symptoms and believe that they can manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors like a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This could contribute to the fact that a lot of women suffering from ADHD are undiagnosed in adulthood.
adhd treatment for adults without medication suggests that the COVID-19 period has been particularly challenging for young adults, who are more likely to have higher rates of anxiety and depression than middle-aged adults. The peak in these levels coincided with spikes in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred in a period of racial justice protests mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and a rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is a risk factor for depression and anxiety and this combination of factors could help explain why these levels have been so persistently raised.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, especially in their later years. Social isolation can cause health issues like high blood pressure or chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family members and friends who are able to provide assistance, but many adults struggle to maintain or establish new connections.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In one study, teachers and parents were less likely to refer girls suffering from ADHD to services 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 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. This makes girls and women more prone to being punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms such as disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be incorrectly diagnosed with anxiety or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Additionally hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of menstrual cycles and during ovulation. This can cause women's and girls' symptoms get worse. Combined with hormonal changes in adolescence, this can cause confusion about their symptoms, making it difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women suffering from ADHD A mental health professional must still assess each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of therapy that a patient receives will be based on their ADHD symptoms and any other factors that might be contributing to their issues like the history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals learn to alter their negative thoughts and swap them out for healthier ones, and couples counseling that can help people improve communication and resolve problems in their relationships.