ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD affects both men as well as women, but societal expectations and gender roles often make it difficult for them to recognize the signs. Women can also mask their symptoms better, which could result in them being incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities all contribute to roadblocks to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the most common untreated adhd in female adults symptoms.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more common for both genders however, women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) are still underdiagnosed 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 task, forgetting important appointments or things, and easily being distracted by work or social events. Women with this disorder might also have difficulty to focus on their schoolwork or other activities. Women with ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep because of anxiety, depression or medical issues.
People with inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to compensate for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to conflicts, frustrations and miscommunication in their relationships. This can result in difficulties in their careers and a lack of opportunities at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on females. Women may have difficulty to cope with their difficulties at home as well as in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to keep afloat as they manage their obligations and try to reach the goals they set for them.
Many women with ADHD have trouble focusing and also struggle to get emotional support from family members and close friends. They may feel isolated 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 or feelings of guilt shame or feelings of inadequacy. This makes them more prone to stress, physical illness and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. This means they are more likely to suicide or self-injury than those without the condition. Women can feel empowered by an diagnosis and take steps to improve her life. To be diagnosed the woman should first speak with a qualified healthcare provider for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage at work, particularly. Women with undiagnosed ADHD have trouble managing their day-to-day schedule and completing work tasks. They might forget appointments, lose important documents or rely on productivity apps to help them keep track of their tasks. These apps are helpful but they cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The gender roles expectations can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms in women. Women are required to look after their families and their homes which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of self-reflection and shame among women who suffer from ADHD who try to meet those demands, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Problems with time management can lead to frustration in relationships both professional and personal. The signs of ADHD can cause you to underestimate how time it takes to complete a task, which can cause 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 events. Use frequent breaks to calm your mind and move around.
You can also employ mindfulness techniques to stay focused and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead listening to podcasts or music while working, play a news story on your mobile. If you have trouble being able to concentrate while driving, you might consider changing to a vehicle with manual transmission. You might also want to consider driving without your cellphone to avoid getting distracted by texting or making calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatment and coping strategies. Treatment options can include medication, such as stimulants, as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will be based on your specific needs and what's going on in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing bad habits with healthier ones. You can also receive family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females who suffer from ADHD report higher levels anxiety and depression than males. They can struggle to cope with these symptoms, leading to a variety of unhealthy behavior. As a way to cope with their symptoms, they could resort to using substances or adopt unhealthy eating habits. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally women are more prone to be misdiagnosed for these issues. In the end, they receive the wrong treatment which can further aggravate their mood and cause other issues.
It's important to remember that a variety of factors can trigger similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD like stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. This is why it's crucial to see a health care specialist or a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the rate of ADHD diagnosis among males and women is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are expected to do more household and parenting work than men. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and dysfunctional beliefs, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to report their symptoms to a medical professional because they believe they're able to handle them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely than other people to blame their symptoms on other factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This could contribute to the fact that many women with ADHD are undiagnosed in adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who are more likely to have more persistently high levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. The peaks in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred in a period of racial justice protests mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and a rise in unemployment. Stress exposure either in the form of chronic or recent, has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. This combination of factors could be the reason why these levels are consistently high.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD can have trouble making and keeping friends particularly as they get older. treatment for add adhd in adults can be linked to a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who can provide support can be helpful but many adults find that they simply can't make new friends or maintain their current relationships.
Societal norms about gender and sexuality may affect the likelihood that women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they require. In one study, parents or teachers were less likely than men 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 expectations of society for women and girls may contribute to 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 means that women and girls are more likely to be punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. They could be misdiagnosed as having anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
In addition hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels are lower at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, and this can make women's and girls' symptoms appear to be more severe. Combined with hormonal changes in the adolescent years, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it difficult to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD However, a mental health professional must still assess the individual's needs and symptoms. adhd treatment in adults of treatment a person receives will depend on the severity of their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors contributing to their problems. For example trauma, a history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn how to change their negative thought patterns and swap them for healthier ones. Couples counseling can aid individuals in improving their communication skills and solve problems in relationships.