ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects both males and females. However, the expectations of society & gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women are also able to mask their symptoms better, which can lead them to be not diagnosed or delayed in getting treatment.
Obscuring stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms, and comorbidities all create obstacles to a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few of the most frequent untreated adhd female adults.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more common for both genders, women and people 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 difficulty staying organized or on task, losing important dates or items, and easily being distracted by social or work events. Women suffering from this disorder might also have difficulty to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some instances, women who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty getting or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical problem.
People with inattentive ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. It can lead to problems in the workplace and missed career opportunities. at work.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women can find themselves struggling to cope with their challenges at home and at work, which can make it difficult to stay afloat as they juggle multiple responsibilities and try to meet the goals they have set for themselves.
Many women with ADHD have trouble focusing and also find it difficult to receive emotional support from their family and friends. In the end they may feel isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors like alcohol abuse.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to stress, physical illness and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. In turn, they are more likely to turn to self-injury or suicide than those who do not suffer from the condition. A diagnosis can help a woman feel more empowered to take steps to transform her life to the best of her abilities. However, obtaining diagnosed is a prerequisite for seeing an experienced healthcare professional to conduct a thorough examination and efficient treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage at work, particularly. Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder working through work assignments and coordinating their daily schedule. They may forget important appointments or paperwork or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps are useful but they are not a substitute for good organizational skills.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to care for their homes and families which requires a degree of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for trying to fulfill these expectations.
Time management problems can lead to frustration both in professional and personal relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimate the time it takes to complete a task, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep the track of deadlines. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to stay focused and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of music or podcasts is an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, consider switching to a car that has a manual transmission. You might also want to look into driving without a cellphone to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatments and strategies for coping. Treatment options include medication, such as stimulants, and psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on your specific needs and the circumstances in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also get couples or family therapy to improve communication within your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females with ADHD report higher levels depression and anxiety than males. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, which could result in a range of unhealthy behaviors. For instance, they may turn to substance use or develop unhealthy eating patterns to deal with their symptoms. These actions can make symptoms worse. Furthermore women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with these problems. This means that they receive the wrong treatment which can further aggravate their mood and cause other problems.
It's important to note that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD like stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity in the frequency of ADHD diagnosis for males and women is due to a combination of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are usually expected to assume more household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This can cause feelings of low self esteem and untrue beliefs that can worsen ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to disclose their symptoms to a medical professional due to the belief that they should be able to manage them on their own. Women who suffer from ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This could contribute to the fact that a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 epidemic has been particularly challenging for young adults. They are more likely to experience higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle age. These highs coincided with COVID-19 cases and occurred at a time when there were racial injustice protests and mass shootings, years of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is an important risk factor for anxiety and depression, so this combination of factors may help explain why these levels have been so persistently elevated.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, particularly when they reach adulthood. Social isolation is associated with a range of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family members and friends who are able to provide support, however many adults struggle to maintain or form new relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women with ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they require. In one study, teachers and parents were less likely to refer girls with 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.
The expectations of society for women and girls can be a contributing factor 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. my sources and girls are more likely to suffer punishment for ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and their ADHD symptoms might not be treated appropriately.
Moreover, hormone changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of menstrual cycles and during ovulation. This can cause women's and girls' symptoms appear worse. Combined with hormonal changes in the adolescent years, this can lead to confusion about their symptoms, making it harder for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women suffering from ADHD However, a mental health professional must still assess each individual's symptoms and needs. The kind of treatment a patient receives is based on their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties. For instance trauma, a history of depression or a traumatic experience. A few common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where people learn to change their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can also aid individuals in improving their communication and resolve problems in relationships.