Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD experience low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to society's expectations, and often feel their discontent with life.
They can also suffer from emotional stress, such as rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to engage risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also change in response to hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. This can make it harder to identify.
Signs and symptoms
Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms, as they are often masked. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment could cause more issues. Many women also report difficulty getting diagnosed, especially in their later years. This could be because diagnostic criteria were formulated on the basis of research conducted with males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria.
Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be similar to those in men. For instance, many people who suffer from ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They may forget important things or misplace items. They may spend long hours organizing their work or home space but fail to keep up with it. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People who suffer from ADHD can have trouble relaxing, and they may worry too much about their health or the safety of others.
If women and girls experience symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD, it can affect the entirety of their lives. They may experience difficulties at school or at work and may also experience difficulties with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety and resort to unhealthy ways of coping like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can increase frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be criticized by coaches and teachers or feel they are treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines.
Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems over the years. They might work until the early hours of the morning to keep up with their work, or hide from their family members their struggles. It's like a lightbulb when they realize that their issues stem from ADHD. They can then utilize their strengths to overcome their challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on the person's work, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social exclusion, and even depression. Some people with ADHD, who are not diagnosed, develop an addiction to stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are more difficult to recognize. This could be due to the fact that women have more trouble telling health care professionals about their struggles, and are more likely to employ strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may include changing behavior and habits, for example, working extra hours at work or school to compensate for their inability of focus, or relying on productivity tools to help them stay focused and on the right track with tasks. These strategies may work in the short term but they can be exhausting and not sustainable.
Additionally, due to gender stereotypes about what women ought to be as, a lot of people don't know that the woman they know might have ADHD. Some symptoms may also be caused by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal. This can result in women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and overly emotional. This can further increase the angst of these women.
The most commonly undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity and a tendency to jump between tasks and have difficulty keeping relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to experience coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and may result in incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
It isn't easy to distinguish between anxiety and ADHD due to the fact that they share many symptoms. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness trouble concentration, and a constant sense that something is wrong. Anxiety disorders do not exhibit the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD.
For women with undiagnosed ADHD getting an official diagnosis could be a game-changer. Women in a variety of studies have reported that their symptoms have decreased after they received the diagnosis. Having an external reason for their struggles allowed them to stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they could manage.
It can take time to diagnose ADHD, but it is worth the long wait. The treatment of ADHD by utilizing therapy and medication can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and in school and give them a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, making it more difficult to get a diagnosis and treatment. They also may be better at masking their symptoms which makes it difficult to find help or support. This can include: forgetting appointments, being unable to finish tasks at school or at work, and having issues with relationships. They may also be at higher risk of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or being the victim of intimate partner violence due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can make a difference for these women. A study conducted in 2020 revealed that a missed diagnosis or a late diagnosis can 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 affect her sense of control over her life and self-worth. Studies have found that many women reported feeling relieved and more comfortable with themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is especially crucial, because research shows that women with undiagnosed ADHD have lower self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their struggles with attention, impulsivity and organization on personal or societal factors, rather than their ADHD.
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD, aside from medication. add symptoms in women of the most common include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people identify and change negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT helps people develop skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies along with training in strategies to improve focus and concentration is a second alternative. The treatment can be provided in group or individual sessions, and it is specifically targeted towards adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to people assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity. It also refers to people born male as "men" to include people of all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD experience a sense shame or confusion about their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the ways ADHD manifests in women. This is due to social pressures and hormonal changes as well as other factors. This can lead both to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Unlike men, who may experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, females tend to be better at hiding their symptoms in the workplace or school. They are able to get used to working late into the night and rely on productivity apps to hide their lack of attention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take a toll on self-esteem and ultimately impact the quality of life.
The diagnostic process for women suffering from ADHD can be complicated and frustrating. The standard ADHD criteria were designed for men and might not be able to capture all the symptoms women experience. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
Clara was no different. She was a smart, hardworking, and committed to her work. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed with the demands of her job. She felt that her failures were her fault and she wasn't sufficient enough. Her confidence shattered was a knock-on effect of undetected ADHD.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD it was a revelation. Clara realized that her struggles weren't her own personal failings. She could no longer view them as evidence of laziness and see her ADHD as an opportunity to be weaved into an effective personal and professional life.
As awareness of the differences in how ADHD manifests in women and the need to encourage inclusion in treatments and research will become more crucial. This is particularly true when it comes to specific treatments for sex, as new research is geared toward understanding how gender influences the disorder and identifying medications that are suitable for women. This should lead to better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.