ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is an illness that affects males and females. However, how to get treated for adhd in adults & gender roles make it difficult for women to recognize. Women can also mask their symptoms more effectively, which could lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral bias, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create roadblocks to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some of the most common untreated adhd in females.
1. Problems with Focusing
Women and those who were deemed female at birth are still underdiagnosed 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.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include not remembering important appointments or things and being easily distracted by work or social events. It can also be hard for women with this disorder to sit down and concentrate on their homework or other tasks at school or work. Women who suffer from ADHD are often unable to fall asleep or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or medical issues.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and try to compensate for them. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, resulting in confusion, anger and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can cause missed opportunities and career challenges.
This is why the impact of untreated ADHD in females who are adults can be devastating. 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 juggle their multiple tasks and strive to meet the goals they set for them.
Alongside having issues in focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They can become isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that are self-defeating like drinking.
Women with untreated ADHD may also develop internalizing symptoms like low self esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. This can make them more susceptible to physical illness, stress and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. As a result, they are more likely to suicide or self-injury than those who don't suffer from the condition. A diagnosis can help women feel more confident in taking steps to alter her life to the best of her abilities. However, obtaining diagnosed requires that she first consult an experienced healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and efficient treatment.
2. Time Management Problems
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially in the workplace. Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have a difficult working through tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They might forget important appointments or paperwork or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps can be useful, but they cannot replace the need for solid organization skills.
The gender-based expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are expected to be the caretakers of their homes and families which requires an amount of coordination that those with ADHD struggle to maintain. The pressures from society can cause women suffering from ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves for failing to meet these demands.
Troubles with time management could result in frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. If you're often late for meetings, think about using a planner or checklist to keep the track of deadlines. Make frequent breaks to clear your mind and move around.
You can also try mindfulness techniques to help you stay on the task and avoid distractions. Watching news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts could be a good alternative to listening to music while working. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, consider switching to a manual-transmission car. It is also possible to drive with your phone off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, a mental health professional can recommend treatment and coping strategies. Treatment options may include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. Your doctor will suggest a therapy depending on your symptoms and the current situation in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you to learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while swapping out negative patterns of behavior for healthier ones. You can also receive family therapy or couples counseling to improve communication between your family members.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Females suffering from ADHD have higher levels of anxiety and depression than males. They may be struggling to deal with the symptoms, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviours. In order to deal with their symptoms, they might turn to substances or unhealthy eating habits. These behaviors can make symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to get problems that are not diagnosed. This means that they receive the wrong treatment which may further aggravate their mood and trigger other issues.
It's important to remember that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD such as stress as well as certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is important to speak with an expert in mental health or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this disparity 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 do more household chores and parenting than men. This pressure can cause feelings of low self-esteem and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD.
In addition, women may be less likely to admit their symptoms to a medical professional because they think they're able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD are also more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This can result in many women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until they reach adulthood.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly challenging for young adults. They tend to have greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle age. These peaks coincided with COVID-19-related cases and were occurring at a time when protests against racial discrimination were taking place and mass shootings, a decade of high inflation, Russian invasions of Ukraine and recurrent catastrophes, as well as rising unemployment. Stress exposure, especially recent and chronic, is a risk factor for anxiety and depression, so this combination of factors could help explain why these levels have been consistently increased.
4. Trouble Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, especially when they reach adulthood. Social isolation is associated with a range of health problems, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. Being close to family and friends members who offer assistance can be beneficial but many adults find that they can't form new acquaintances or maintain existing relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality can 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 treatment 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 women and girls more likely to be penalized for showing symptoms of ADHD such as disorganization and inattention. They may be misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms may not be properly treated.
In addition, hormonal fluctuations can amplify ADHD in females. Estrogen levels can be lower towards the end and during the ovulation period of a woman's menstrual period and can cause symptoms to become more severe for females and girls. In conjunction with hormonal changes during the adolescent years, this can result in confusion regarding their symptoms, making it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
While many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment a patient receives is based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms, as in addition to other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties. For example the history of depression or trauma. A few common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a process where individuals learn to alter their negative thinking patterns and switch them to healthier ones. Couples counseling can also aid individuals in improving their communication and resolve relationship problems.