Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often feel their frustration with life.
They may also experience emotional distress, such as the sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage dangerous behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes, such as menstruation or pregnancy. This makes it harder to identify.
Signs and symptoms
Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms as they tend to cover them up. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment may cause more problems than they resolve. Many women also report difficulty diagnosing themselves, particularly in their later years. This could be due to the fact that the criteria for diagnosing were formulated on the basis of studies conducted on males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women are often very similar to the symptoms of males. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They might lose track of important tasks or get lost items. They may spend a lot of time organizing their office or home space, but fail to keep up with it. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities around them. People with ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and worry excessively about themselves or others.
When girls and women experience symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD it can impact the entirety of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or at work, and struggle with relationships with their friends and romantic partners. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD may cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between friends, family and coworkers. They may be criticized by coaches and teachers or feel like they are treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and complete tasks on time.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD come up with strategies for coping over the years. They might be up late at night to stay ahead of their tasks or conceal their issues from family members. When they realize that their challenges are because of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then learn how to overcome their difficulties and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on the life of a person, their career, and relationships. It can cause social isolation, financial instability and depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop an addiction to stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. This can cause serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Women with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than men because the symptoms are more difficult to detect. This could be because women are less likely to tell health care professionals about their struggles and more likely to resort methods of coping to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may involve changing their behavior, such as working long hours at work or school to help compensate for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay organized and on top of tasks. These strategies for coping might be effective in the short run but they can be draining and unsustainable.
In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people do not realize that the woman they know may have ADHD. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes, such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can lead to women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and emotionally tense. This can further increase the angst of these women.
The most commonly undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are inattention, forgetfulness as well as impulsivity, an ability to switch between tasks and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions may have symptoms similar to ADHD and can lead to being treated incorrectly and not correctly.
The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose the condition. The symptoms of anxiety are feeling of anxiety, irritability, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders.
For women with undiagnosed ADHD, receiving a professional diagnosis can be a game changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms decreased after they received an expert diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their struggles and began to see their struggles as something they could control.
Finding a diagnosis of ADHD takes time however the reward is fantastic. The treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and school and help them gain a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Females and females have different ADHD symptoms as do men. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that girls are more adept at hiding their symptoms, making it harder to receive assistance or help. It can be difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at school or work and may have issues with relationships. They could also be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or being victims of intimate partner violence because they aren't able to recognize and responding to their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can make a difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that an undiagnosed or late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on the social-emotional health of a woman, as well as her ability to form and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-esteem and sense of control. Many of the women in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving a diagnosis and treatment for their ADHD.
This is especially important, because research shows that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than their male peers. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and organization problems on personal or social factors than on their ADHD.
There are a myriad of treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD, aside from medication. The most well-known include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT assists people in identifying and overcome negative behavior and thoughts, whereas DBT helps people develop skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy that combines aspects of these therapies with training in strategies to increase focus and concentration is a second alternative. The treatment can be provided in group or individual sessions and is targeted towards adults suffering from ADHD. Note: In this article, the term "women", is used to refer to people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of gender identity. It also refers to people who are born male "men" to be inclusive of all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD are unsure or embarrassed of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly influence the way ADHD manifests in women, it's not uncommon for females to be underdetected or not diagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment, and an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Unlike men, who may have hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, women tend to be more adept at masked their symptoms in the workplace or at school. They are able to get used to working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. These coping strategies can have a negative impact on self-esteem and ultimately the quality of your life.
Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be confusing and frustrating. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed for males, and therefore they do not always capture the full spectrum of symptoms women suffer. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Clara was not an exception. Clara was intelligent, hardworking and committed to her work. adhd in older women struggled to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her work. She viewed her failures as her own fault and believed that she was not good enough. Her self-confidence shattering was the result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
It was a revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara finally understood that her struggles were not her own personal flaws. She could stop seeing them as signs laziness, and begin to look at her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven in to a meaningful personal and professional life.
As women's ADHD becomes more widely known and more well-known, it will be increasingly important to include them in treatment and research. This is particularly relevant in the field of specific treatment for sex, as new research is focused on determining how gender influences the disorder and creating medications that are suitable for women. Hopefully, this will lead to a better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.