Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and internalize their anger.
They can also suffer emotional distress, such as feelings of rejection. They are more likely to engage risky behaviors.
ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes. This can make it harder to identify.
Symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms since they tend to cover them up. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate may cause even more problems. Many women report having difficulties getting diagnosed, especially when they are adults. This can be because the diagnostic criteria are based on research conducted by males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria.
Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be very similar to those in men. For instance, many women with ADHD experience difficulty concentrating or listening. They might lose important items or misplace things. They may spend many hours organizing their office or home space but do not manage to keep up with it. They are often distracted by the noise or activities in the vicinity. People with ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may worry a lot about themselves or other people.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in every aspect of their lives. They may have difficulty at the workplace or at school and have problems with their relationships with their friends and romantic partners. They can have low self-esteem and anxiety, so they may use unhealthy strategies to cope like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches may criticize them or they may be treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and complete tasks on time.
Over time, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They may work late into the night to get ahead of their work or hide their problems from family members. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their problems stem from ADHD. They can then learn how to overcome their obstacles and use their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD may have a negative impact on the person's career, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Some people with ADHD who aren't diagnosed are prone to developing an dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health issues such as heart disease or stroke.
high functioning adhd in women suffering from ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than males because the symptoms are more difficult to detect. This could be due to the fact that women are less likely to tell health care professionals about their struggles and are more likely to resort to strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms. These strategies can include changing their behavior, such as working longer hours at school or at work to help compensate for their lack of focus, or employing productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on task with projects. These coping mechanisms may work in short periods of time, but they are exhausting and are not sustainable.
Many people are unaware that a woman they know could be suffering from ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms can be worsened by hormonal changes like those that happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal. This can lead women to be misunderstood and dismissed as moody or overly emotional, which can further increase their anger.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness difficulties in concentrating and an impulsive nature. They also have a tendency jump from one thing to another and have difficulty maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women. They are also more likely than others to suffer from coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression. These conditions may manifest symptoms similar to ADHD and could lead to being treated incorrectly and not correctly.
The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose the condition. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness difficulty in concentration and a constant feeling that something isn't right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD.
For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD, receiving an assessment from a professional can be a game changer. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished after they received a professional diagnosis. The fact that they had an external explanation for their problems allowed them to stop blaming themselves, and instead viewing their own challenges as something they could manage.
It takes time to identify ADHD however it is worth the long wait. Treatment of ADHD with medication and psychotherapy can improve relationships, help women excel at school and work and give them an improved understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Females and females have different ADHD symptoms as do males. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that they are more adept in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to receive assistance or help. It is often difficult to remember appointments, complete tasks at school or work and also have issues in relationships. They may also be at a higher chance of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or being the victim of intimate partner violence because they have trouble recognizing and resolving to their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can be beneficial for these women. A study in 2020 found that a missed or late diagnosis can have lasting negative impacts on a woman's social-emotional well-being and ability to form and maintain relationships. It can also impact the way she feels about her life and self-esteem. Many women who participated in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD.
This is particularly important as research has shown that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than their male peers. They are more likely to blame their impulsivity, attention and organizational issues on personal or social factors instead of their ADHD.
Aside from medication, there are various treatment options available for adults with ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT helps to identify and alter negative thoughts, whereas DBT helps to teach mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies to improve focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is available in either individual or group sessions and is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to females who were assigned at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity. It also refers to those born male as "men" to include people of all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD are in a state of confusion or fearful of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes significantly influence how ADHD manifests in women, it's typical for females to be underdetected, misunderstood, or not diagnosed. This can lead to ineffective or ineffective treatment, and the increased likelihood of developing mood-related disorders like depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men, who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive more often. They are able to get used to working late into the night and rely on productivity apps to mask their inattention. These strategies for coping can have a negative impact on self-esteem, and ultimately the quality of your life.
Even when women with ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be frustrating and confusing. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed in males, and therefore they do not be able to capture the full range of symptoms women suffer. This is why many women with undiagnosed ADHD are mistakenly diagnosed with other illnesses, such as anxiety and depression.
Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking, and committed to her work. However she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and she wasn't good enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD it was a shock. Clara finally understood that her issues were not her own personal flaws. She could no longer view them as a sign of lazyness and begin to look at her ADHD as an opportunity to be woven into an authentic personal and professional life.
As women's ADHD is more well-known, it will become increasingly important to include women in treatment and research initiatives. This is particularly true when it comes to specific treatments for sex, as new research is focused on understanding how gender influences the disorder and identifying medications that are suitable for women. This will hopefully help in the diagnosis and treatment of women with undiagnosed ADHD.