Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and internalize their anger.
They may also experience emotional stress, which can include the sensitivity to rejection. This can make them more likely to engage in risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. This makes it difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms because they can be disguised. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment may cause more problems than they solve. Many women report having difficulties getting diagnosed particularly when they are adults. This could be because diagnostic criteria were formulated based on research conducted with males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically like those experienced by males. For instance, many people who suffer from ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They might lose track of important tasks or lose things. They may spend hours organizing their home or work space, but they aren't able to keep up. They are often distracted by noise or other activities in the vicinity. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to having trouble sleeping and may worry over their health and the safety of others.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in every aspect of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or at work as well as having issues with their relationships with friends and romantic relationships. They might be afflicted with low self-esteem and anxiety, which is why they might use unhealthy strategies to cope like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD could cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. They can be criticized by teachers and coaches, or feel that they are being treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop coping strategies over the years. They might be up late at night to stay ahead of their tasks or conceal their struggles from loved ones. When they realize that their struggles are the result of ADHD, it is like an epiphany. They can then understand how to overcome their difficulties and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage.
Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on the person's career, life, and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are harder to recognize in women than they are in men. This may be due to the fact that women have a harder time communicating with health professionals about their struggles and are more likely to use strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could involve changing behavior for example, like taking on extra hours at school or work to make up for their lack in focus, or using productivity tools to keep them in control and on to schedule with their projects. These coping strategies might work for the short amount of period of time, but they can be exhausting and are not sustainable.
Many people are unaware that a woman they know could have ADHD due to gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may also be caused by hormonal changes, like those that happen during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. This can result in women being misunderstood or dismissed as being moody and emotional. This adds to the angst of these women.
Some of the most common undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD among women are memory loss, trouble concentrating, impulsivity and the tendency to move between tasks, and difficulties maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to experience coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression. The symptoms of these conditions can be confused with those of ADHD and can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
It isn't easy to distinguish between anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness, difficulty in concentration and a constant feeling that something is wrong. Anxiety disorders don't have the impulsivity or lack of attention that is characteristic of ADHD.
A diagnosis from a professional of undiagnosed ADHD can have a profound impact on women. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms reduced when they received an expert diagnosis. Finding an external explanation for their problems allowed them to stop blaming themselves and start viewing their own challenges as something they could control.
Finding a diagnosis of ADHD is not easy but the rewards are great. Treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and at school, and provide them with an understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls typically have different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it harder to obtain an assessment and treatment. They may also be better in masked symptoms which makes it difficult to get help or support. This can include: forgetting appointments, being unable to finish tasks at school or at work, and having issues with relationships. They are more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual behaviour or become victims of intimate partner abuse because they're unable to acknowledge and react to their own emotions.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study conducted in 2020 revealed that a missed 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 establish and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling happier and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis for ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is particularly important as research has shown that women with undiagnosed 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 organizational issues on social or personal factors instead of their ADHD.
Aside from medication, there are various treatment options for adults with ADHD. The most well-known include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people identify and overcome negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies to improve concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in groups or individually and is geared to adults with ADHD. Note in this article, the term "women" is used to mean those who were assigned a female at birth regardless of their gender identity. Also, it refers to people born male as "men" to be inclusive of all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD are confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes significantly influence the way ADHD manifests in women, it's not uncommon for females to be underdetected or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead to ineffective or ineffective treatment, and an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men who are more impulsive or hyperactive. They may become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to hide their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take their impact on self-esteem, and ultimately affect the quality of life.
The process of diagnosing women with ADHD can be confusing and frustrating. The traditional ADHD criteria were created for men and may not capture all the symptoms that women suffer from. In the end, many women with undiagnosed ADHD are misdiagnosed with other conditions like anxiety and depression.
Clara was not different. Clara was intelligent and hardworking, as well as dedicated to her job. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her work. She believed that her failings were her fault, and that she was not good enough. Her self-confidence shattering was the result of undiagnosed ADHD.
click to investigate was a revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara finally understood that her struggles weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop seeing them as signs of laziness and begin to consider her ADHD as a thread that can be woven into a meaningful professional and personal life.
As women's ADHD becomes more well-known and recognized, it will become more important to include them in research and treatment initiatives. This is particularly true in the area of specific treatment for sex, as new research is focused on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and creating medications that work well for women. This should help in the diagnosis and treatment of women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.