ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a problem that affects both men and women, but the expectations of society 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 lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Lingering stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create obstacles to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are a few female adult symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women and people who were deemed female at birth are often not diagnosed 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.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD include having trouble staying organized or on task, losing important appointments or things, and being easily distracted by work or social events. Women with this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some cases, women with ADHD might have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep due to anxiety, depression or a medical issue.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and attempt to cover them up. People may misinterpret their behavior, causing confusion, frustration, and conflict within relationships. In the workplace, it can result in missed opportunities and career challenges.
As a result, the consequences of untreated ADHD in females who are adults can be devastating. Women may have difficulty to manage their issues both at home and in the workplace. This can make it difficult to keep afloat as they juggle their multiple tasks and strive to meet the goals they have set for themselves.
Alongside having issues focus, many women suffering from ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They may become lonely or develop unhealthy habits that lead to self-defeating behaviors, such as drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feeling of worthlessness. This makes them more vulnerable to physical and mental stressors and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. This means they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those without the condition. A woman may be encouraged by the diagnosis and can take action to improve her life. To get a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment and effective treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly in the workplace. Women with no diagnosis of ADHD have a difficult time managing their schedules and completing work-related tasks. They may forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or use productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps can be helpful, but cannot replace the ability to organize your life.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to take care of their family and home and require an amount of coordination that people suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain. The pressures from society can cause women with ADHD to feel embarrassed and blame themselves for failing to fulfill these expectations.
Troubles with time management could result in frustration in relationships both professional and personal. The symptoms of ADHD can cause you to underestimate the you will take to complete a task, which can cause you to be late for meetings or other commitments. If you are frequently late for events, consider using a planner or checklist to keep the track of deadlines. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to focus and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your smartphone instead of listening to music or podcasts is an excellent alternative to listening to music while working. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, consider changing to a vehicle with manual transmission. You may also want to think about driving without your phone to avoid being distracted by texting or calling.
A mental health professional can help you determine the best treatment and coping method for ADHD. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest an approach depending on your symptoms and the present situation in your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance can help you to accept your thoughts and feelings while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also receive couples counseling or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD typically have higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to cope with the symptoms, which could result in a range of unhealthy behavior. For instance, they could resort to using substances or develop unhealthy eating habits to deal with their symptoms. These behaviors can exacerbate symptoms. In addition women are more prone to be misdiagnosed with these issues. In the end, they are treated in the wrong way which may further aggravate their mood and cause other issues.
It's important to recognize that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD, including stress as well as certain physical conditions and illnesses. This is why it's crucial to see a health care provider or mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis for males and women is due to a mix of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are generally expected to assume the majority of household and parenting duties than their male counterparts. This pressure can result in feelings of low self-esteem and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
Women are also less likely than men to tell doctors about their symptoms, believing that they can 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 stress. This could contribute to the fact that a lot of women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood.
Research suggests that the COVID-19 era has been particularly difficult for young adults, who tend to have more persistently high levels of depression and anxiety than adults of middle age. doctors who treat adhd in adults near me coincided with COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time where there were racial injustice protests, mass shootings, decades of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and other countries, frequent catastrophes and increasing unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is known to be a risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors may help explain why these levels have been so persistently elevated.
4. Difficulty Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly when they reach adulthood. Social isolation can cause health issues such as high blood pressure or chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who can provide support can be helpful but many adults find that they can't form new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
The social norms surrounding gender and sexuality can have an influence whether women with ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. 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.
These societal expectations of 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. Girls and women are more likely to experience the consequences of ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. This means that they may be incorrectly diagnosed with depression or anxiety, and their ADHD symptoms may not be appropriately treated.
Additionally, hormonal changes can further increase ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, which can make the symptoms of women and girls appear to be more severe. When combined with hormonal changes during the adolescent stage, this could result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment.
While many of the same treatments are available to women with ADHD However, a mental health professional will still need evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment a patient receives depends on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as well as other factors that may be contributing to their difficulties. For instance trauma, a history of trauma or depression. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals learn to alter their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones, as well as couples counseling that can help people improve their communication and solve issues in their relationships.