Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD often experience low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations, and often internalize their discontent.
They can also suffer emotional distress, such as the sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviours.
ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. This makes it harder to identify.
Signs and symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms as they tend to mask them. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and incorrect treatment could cause more issues than they solve. Women also have trouble being diagnosed, particularly in their later years. This can be because the diagnostic criteria are based on research conducted by males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are usually like those experienced by males. Many people with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might lose important items or misplace things. They may spend long hours organizing their office or home space but do not manage to keep up with it. They are often distracted by noise or other activities around them. 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 can have trouble in the workplace or at school and have issues with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may be depressed and anxiety, so they may use unhealthy strategies to cope such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can increase frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with friends, family and colleagues. Teachers and coaches may be critical of them or be unfairly treated at work. Having ADHD can make it harder to focus on tasks and meet deadlines.
Over time, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They might work late into the night to stay ahead of their tasks or conceal their problems from family members. It's like a lightbulb when they realize that their issues are due to ADHD. They can then use their strengths to overcome their difficulties (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on a person's life, career, and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. This can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than men because the symptoms are more difficult to spot. This could be due to the fact that women are more hesitant talking to health professionals about their issues and are more likely to employ strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may involve changing their behaviour, for instance, working long hours at school or work to make up for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay on top of and on track with their projects. These strategies for coping can be effective in short periods of time, but they are exhausting and do not last long.
Many people are unaware that women they know might have ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may be more severe due to hormonal changes, such as those during menstruation or pregnancy. This can result in women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and overly emotional. This adds to the angst of these women.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness difficulties in concentrating and impulsivity. They also have a tendency jump from one thing to the next and have trouble maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience co-existing disorders, like depression and anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and could result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to identify the condition. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness, trouble concentration, and a constant sense that something is not right. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in the anxiety disorders.
A diagnosis from a professional of undiagnosed ADHD can be life-changing for women. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms decreased after receiving a professional diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their difficulties and began to view their struggles as something they could take control of.
Finding a diagnosis of ADHD takes time but the rewards are amazing. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, aid women achieve in school and work, and provide them with a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Girls and women have different ADHD symptoms as do males. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to get help or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments, complete tasks at school or work and may have 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 to their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can make a difference for these women. A study from 2020 found that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis could have long-lasting negative impacts on the emotional and social 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 women who participated in these studies felt a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD.
It is important to note that research has shown that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their difficulties with attention, impulsivity and organization on societal or personal factors, rather than their ADHD.
There are many treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD apart from medication. The most popular include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps to identify and alter negative thoughts, while DBT teaches mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies and training in strategies to improve concentration and focus, is another option. high functioning adhd in women is available in groups or individually and is geared to adults with ADHD. Note: This article employs the term "women" to refer to people assigned female 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 confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes significantly affect how ADHD presents in women, it's common for females to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment as well as an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders like depression and anxiety.
Unlike men, who may suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more often, females are often better at masking their symptoms at work or school. They may become adept at working late into the night and depend on productivity apps to mask their inattention. These coping mechanisms can have a negative effect on self-esteem and ultimately the quality of your life.
The diagnostic process for women with ADHD can be confusing and frustrating. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they may not accurately reflect the full range of symptoms that women suffer from. As a result, many women with undiagnosed ADHD are misdiagnosed with other conditions like anxiety and depression.
Clara was the same. She was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. She struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her work. She saw her mistakes as her own fault, and felt that she was not adequate enough. Her shattered confidence was a direct result of undiagnosed ADHD.
It was a revelation when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara understood that her challenges were not a result of personal failures. She could stop seeing them as laziness-related signs, and begin to look at her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven in to an effective professional and personal life.
As awareness of the various differences in how ADHD manifests in women grows and the need to encourage inclusion in treatments and research will become increasingly important. This is particularly true in the area of sex-specific treatments, as new research is geared toward understanding the impact of gender on the disorder and developing medications that are suitable for women. This will hopefully result in better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.