ADHD in see more
ADHD affects both men as well as women, but the expectations of society and gender roles can make it more difficult for them to recognize the signs. Women can also mask their symptoms better, which could lead them to be incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.
Internalized symptoms, referral bias, lingering stereotypes and comorbidities could all be obstacles to a clear diagnosis. Here are a few females' symptoms that are not treated for adhd.
1. Trouble focusing
Women and those who were assigned female at birth are often not diagnosed with ADHD. This is in part because women's symptoms are more often inattentive than those of the hyperactive/impulsive type, which make them less likely to get referred for assessment and treatment.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include being unable to remember important appointments or items that are important, and getting easily distracted by work or social occasions. Women with this disorder may also find it difficult to focus on schoolwork or other tasks. In some cases, people who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety or a medical condition.
People who have inattention ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms and try to make up for them. People may interpret their behavior incorrectly, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, and conflict within relationships. This can result in difficulties in their careers and a lack of opportunities in the workplace.
Untreated ADHD can have devastating consequences on females. Women may find it difficult to manage their issues both at home and in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to maintain a steady pace while they manage their tasks and strive to meet the goals they have set for themselves.
Alongside having issues focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their families and friends. They can become isolated, or develop unhealthy patterns that can be self-defeating, such as drinking.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might also experience internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or feelings of inadequacy. This makes them more vulnerable to stress, physical illnesses and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. As a result, they are more likely to self-injury or suicide than those without the condition. A woman may be encouraged by a diagnosis and take action to improve her life. To receive a diagnosis one must first speak with a qualified health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, particularly at work. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often have a harder working through tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They might forget appointments, lose important paperwork, or rely on productivity apps to help remain on track. These apps can be helpful, but they cannot substitute for the need for strong organizational skills.
The expectations for gender roles of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Women are required to look after their families and homes and homes, which require a level of coordination that ADHD sufferers struggle to maintain. This societal pressure can trigger feelings of guilt and shame in women with ADHD who try to fulfill these expectations, causing them to mask their symptoms.
Problems with time management can cause frustration in relationships, both personal and professional. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimating the time needed to complete tasks, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. You might want to consider using a checklist or a calendar to on track of deadlines when you are frequently late for events. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind and move around.
You can also practice mindfulness techniques to help you stay focused on your the task and avoid distractions. The ability to listen to news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts can be a good alternative to listening to music while working. If you are having trouble concentrating when driving, you can switch to a manual transmission car. You may also want look into driving without a cellphone to avoid getting distracted by texting or calling.
When you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatment and strategies for coping. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends is based on your specific symptoms and the current state of your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example can help you to accept your thoughts and emotions while replacing negative patterns of behaviour with healthier ones. You can also receive family or couples therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression
Females with ADHD have higher levels of depression and anxiety than males. They may have difficulty coping with these issues, which can lead to a variety of unhealthy behaviors. In order to deal with their symptoms, they may turn to substances or unhealthy eating habits. These actions can worsen symptoms. Women are more likely to have these issues that are not properly diagnosed. In the end, they receive the wrong treatment, which can further worsen their mood and lead to other problems.
It's crucial to know that stress, physical ailments, and illnesses can cause symptoms that are similar to those of ADHD. It's important to see a medical provider or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers believe that the differences in ADHD diagnoses between men and women is due to a mixture of socially and biologically imposed roles. Women are expected to take on more household chores and parenting than men. This can result in feelings of low self-esteem and dysfunctional beliefs, which can worsen ADHD symptoms.
In addition, women may be less likely to report their symptoms to a healthcare professional due to the belief that they can handle the symptoms on their own. Women with ADHD might also be more likely to blame their symptoms on other causes, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress. This could be a contributing factor to the fact that many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until later in life.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly challenging for young adults. They tend to have greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle age. The peak in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 and occurred during a time of protests against racial injustice, mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine, recurrent climate catastrophes, and the rise in unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is recognized as an important risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors could help explain why these levels have been consistently raised.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships, particularly in their later years. Social isolation can lead to health issues like high blood pressure or chronic stress. Having close friends and family members who provide support can be beneficial however, many adults discover that they simply can't make new friendships or maintain current relationships.
The social norms relating to gender and sex can affect whether women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they require. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls suffering from ADHD to treatment than boys. This is thought to be partly due to the different types of symptoms that manifest in girls and boys: boys and men typically display hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms, while girls and women typically show primarily inattentive-type symptoms.
These expectations from society for women and girls could cause them to develop ADHD symptoms. Girls and women are often held to a higher standard than boys and men for the behaviors, attitudes, and traits they exhibit--particularly in relation to their empathy and ability to relate to others. This makes girls and women more likely to be punished for exhibiting ADHD-related symptoms like disorganization and inattention. Consequently, they might be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms might not be properly treated.
Moreover, hormone fluctuations can further amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower towards the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, which can make the symptoms of women and girls appear worse. This can cause confusion among adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
While many of the same treatment options are available to women with ADHD, a mental healthcare professional will still need evaluate each person's individual needs and symptoms. The kind of treatment a patient receives will depend on their ADHD symptoms as in addition to other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties. For instance the history of depression or trauma. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can aid individuals in improving their communication skills and solve problems in relationships.