Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations, and often feel their discontent.
They may also be suffering from emotional distress including sensitivity to rejection. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy. This can make them more difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms
Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms, since they can be disguised. This can lead to a wrong diagnosis, and the wrong treatment can cause further problems. Many women have difficulty getting diagnosed as well especially as adults. This can be because the diagnostic criteria are based upon research conducted on males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria.
Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be quite similar to symptoms in men. For instance, many people with ADHD experience difficulty concentrating or listening. They may forget important things or misplace things. They could spend hours organising their work or home space, but not keep up. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may be worried excessively about their health or the safety of others.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their life. They may have difficulty at school or at work, and have issues with their friendships and romantic relationships. They might be struggling with self-esteem or anxiety. They may also resort to unhealthy ways of coping like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and miscommunications in relationships with friends, family and coworkers. They may be criticized by teachers and coaches, or feel that they are treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on tasks and meet deadlines.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop coping strategies over time. They may work into the early hours of the morning to complete their work or hide from their loved ones the struggles they face. It's like a lightbulb when they realize that their struggles are caused by ADHD. They will then be able to understand how to overcome their obstacles and use their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD could cause negative effects on a person’s career, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social exclusion as well as depression. Some people with ADHD, who are not diagnosed have an addiction to stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine. This can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease or stroke.
Diagnosis
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than they are in males. This could be due to the fact that women have more trouble talking to health professionals about their struggles and are more likely to employ strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could require changing their behaviour, for instance, working longer hours at work or school to make up for their inability to focus or using productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on task with projects. These coping methods might work in the short term but they can be draining and unsustainable.
In addition, because of gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people don't realize that the woman they know might be suffering from ADHD. Certain symptoms can be worsened due to hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation or during pregnancy. This can lead women to be misunderstood and dismissed as moody or emotionally overly emotional, which may increase their frustration.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and an impulsive nature. They also tend to jump between different things and have difficulties maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience co-existing disorders, like anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be confused with those of ADHD and can lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment.
It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD due to the fact that they share many symptoms. The signs of anxiety include feeling of agitation, trouble in concentrating, and a constant sense that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or lack of attention that is characteristic of ADHD.
A professional diagnosis of undiagnosed ADHD can be life-changing for women. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms decreased when they received an expert diagnosis. Finding adhd symptoms in women for their struggles helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they could control.
Finding a diagnosis of ADHD is not easy but the rewards are fantastic. Treating ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and at school and help them gain greater insight into themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms as do males. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that they are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to get assistance or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments, complete tasks at work or school and may have issues with relationships. They may be more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual conduct or to be victims of abuse by intimate partners because they are unable to identify and respond to their own feelings.
Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 found that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis could 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 confidence in her abilities to control. Many of the women who participated in these studies reported feeling a sense relief and a sense of self-confidence that increased after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD.
This is especially important due to the fact that research has shown women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are also more likely to blame their struggles with impulsivity, attention, and organization on societal or personal factors, rather than their ADHD.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults with ADHD in addition to medication. The most well-known include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT assists people in identifying and alter negative behavior and thoughts, whereas DBT helps people develop skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in group or individual sessions and is geared to adults with ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word "women", is used to describe those who were assigned female at birth, regardless of gender identity. It also refers to those born male as "men" to be inclusive of all gender identities.
Support
Many people with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of guilt or confusion over their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the manner in which ADHD manifests in women. This is due to societal pressures as well as hormonal changes and other factors. This can lead to a lack of effectiveness or improper treatment, and a higher chance of developing mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive more often. They may learn to work late into the night, and utilize productivity apps to hide their inattention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take their impact on self-esteem, and ultimately impact the quality of life.
Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be confusing and frustrating. adhd symptoms in women were developed by men, so they may not be able to capture the full spectrum of symptoms that women suffer from. This is why many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are misdiagnosed with other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Clara was no different. She was a smart, hardworking, and dedicated to her career. But, she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failures were her own fault, and felt that she was not sufficient. Her shattered confidence was a knock-on effect of a nebulous ADHD.
It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her struggles were not her own personal flaws. She was able to stop seeing them as a sign of lazyness and start to look at her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into an authentic personal and professional life.
As awareness of the differences in the ways ADHD manifests in women increases and the need to encourage inclusion within research and treatment initiatives will become more important. This is especially 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. This could result in better diagnosis and treatment of women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.