Undiagnosed ADHD In Women It's Not As Hard As You Think
Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to society's expectations, and often feel their frustration with life.
They may also experience emotional stress, which can include rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to engage in dangerous behaviours.
ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, as they are often hidden. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and a misguided treatment could cause more issues than they resolve. Women also have trouble getting diagnosed, especially when they reach adulthood. This is due to the diagnostic criteria are based on studies conducted in males. Some experts are working to improve these criteria.
Signs of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be very similar to those in men. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They may forget 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 the noise or activities that are happening around them. People with ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and worry excessively about themselves or other people.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their life. They may have difficulty at school or at work and struggle with friendships and romantic relationships. They might be struggling with self-esteem or anxiety, and may use unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, friends and coworkers. They can be criticized by coaches and teachers, or feel like they are being treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines.
Many people with undiagnosed ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems over the years. They might work late into the night to get ahead of their work schedule or hide their struggles from loved ones. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their problems are due to ADHD. adhd in adult women treatment can then utilize their strengths to overcome their challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on a person's life, career, and relationships. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Certain people who suffer from ADHD, who are not diagnosed have an addiction to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines. This can cause serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because the symptoms are harder to recognize in women than in men. This could be because women are more reluctant to disclose to health professionals about their struggles and more likely to resort methods of coping to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could involve changing their behavior, for example, working extra hours at work or school to compensate for their lack of focus, or using productivity tools to stay organized and on task with projects. These strategies may work in the short run, but are often draining and unsustainable.
In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people don't know that the woman they know could be suffering from ADHD. Some symptoms may also be caused by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause. This can result in women being dismissed or viewed as moody and overly emotional. This can further increase the frustration of these women.
The most frequently undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are memory loss, trouble concentrating, impulsivity and an ability to switch from one task to the next and have difficulty keeping relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common in women. They are also more likely than others to have coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and could result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose the condition. The signs of anxiety include agitation, trouble concentrating and a constant feeling that something isn't right. Anxiety disorders don't have the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD.
For women with undiagnosed ADHD, receiving an official diagnosis could be a game-changer. In several studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished after they received a professional diagnosis. The fact that they had an external explanation for their problems helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they could control.
It can take time to diagnose ADHD however it is worth the waiting. The treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school and give them a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it more difficult to get an assessment and treatment. They are also more adept at masking their symptoms and making it more difficult to find help or support. This could include forgetting appointments, being unable to complete tasks at school or at work, or experiencing difficulties in relationships. They are more likely to be pushed into inappropriate sexual behaviour or become victims of intimate partner abuse because they are unable to identify and respond to their own emotions.
Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that an undiagnosed or late diagnosis could have long-lasting negative impact on the emotional and social health of a woman as well as her ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. It can also impact her confidence in her life and self-esteem. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling more relaxed and more confident in themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is especially crucial, because research shows that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their struggles with attention, impulsivity, and organization on their own or social factors instead of on their ADHD.
Apart from medications, there is a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of the most common are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT assists people in identifying and alter negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT helps people develop skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies along with training in strategies to improve focus and concentration is a second alternative. This treatment can be delivered in individual or group sessions, and it is specifically geared to adults with ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to females who were assigned at birth, regardless of affirmed gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at the time of birth as "men" and includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people with ADHD are afflicted with a sense of shame or confusion about their symptoms. Because societal 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 result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment, and the increased likelihood of developing mood-related disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms than men, who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They can be taught to work late into the night, and use productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take their impact on self-esteem, and ultimately affect the quality of life.
Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be a bit confusing and difficult. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for men, so they may not be able to capture the full range of symptoms women suffer. Many women who suffer from 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. She struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed with the demands of her job. She believed that her failures were her own fault, and felt that she was not good enough. Her shattered confidence was a knock-on effect of undetected ADHD.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a revelation. Clara realized that her struggles were not due to her personal shortcomings. She could stop viewing them as evidence of laziness and begin to consider her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into an authentic personal and professional life.
As the understanding of the different ways in how ADHD manifests in women as well, the need to ensure inclusion within research and treatment initiatives will become increasingly important. This is especially relevant to sex-specific treatment, as new research focuses on understanding how gender affects the disorder and identifying a medications that work well for women. Hopefully, this will lead to improved treatment and diagnosis for women with undiagnosed ADHD.