Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and internalize their frustration.
They can also suffer emotional stress, which can include the sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage dangerous behaviours.
ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy. This makes it more difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms
Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms as they tend to mask them. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and incorrect treatment may cause more problems than they resolve. Many women also report difficulty diagnosing themselves, particularly in adulthood. This could be because diagnostic criteria were formulated based on studies conducted on males. Some experts are trying to improve these criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to those of men. Many people with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might lose important items or misplace items. They could spend many hours organizing their office or home space, but fail to keep up with it. They are often distracted by noise or other activities around them. People with ADHD are prone to having trouble sleeping, and they may worry excessively about their health or the safety of others.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their life. They may experience difficulties at work or school and may also experience difficulties with their romantic relationships and friendships. They might be afflicted with low self-esteem and anxiety, so they may use unhealthy strategies to cope such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause confusion and frustration in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches may criticize them or they may be unfairly treated at work. Having ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD come up with strategies for coping over time. They might be up late at night to keep up with their work or hide their issues from family members. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their problems stem from ADHD. They can then leverage their strengths to overcome their challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect an individual's career, relationships, and life. It can cause financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Certain people with ADHD who aren't diagnosed are prone to developing an dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines or cocaine. This can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are harder to spot. This could be due to the fact that women have a harder time telling health care professionals about their struggles, and are more likely to employ strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may require changing behaviors for example, like taking on more hours at school or work to compensate for their lapses in focus or using productivity tools to help them stay organized and on the right track with their projects. These coping strategies might work for short periods of period of time, but they can be exhausting and are not sustainable.
Many people are unaware of the fact that a woman they know could have ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes like menstrual or pregnancy. This could cause women to be misunderstood and dismissed as moody or overly emotional, which can further increase their anger.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women include forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and the tendency to be impulsive. They also have a tendency jump from one thing to another and have difficulties maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women. They are also more likely than others to suffer from co-existing disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD, which may lead to an incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to determine the condition. The signs of anxiety include feeling of agitation, trouble concentrating and a constant feeling that something is not right. The impulsivity and lack of attention of ADHD are not present in the anxiety disorders.
For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD having a professional diagnosis can be a game-changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms decreased after receiving an official diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their own problems and began to look at their challenges as something that they could manage.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is a long process however the reward is great. Treating ADHD by utilizing therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school and give them an understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis and treatment. They also may be better in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to get help or support. It can be difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at work or at school and may have issues with relationships. They may also be more at risk of being pressured into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of intimate partner violence, because they have trouble recognizing and resolving to their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a difference for these women. A 2020 study found that a missed or late diagnosis can have lasting negative impacts on a woman's social-emotional well-being and ability to form and maintain relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling more relaxed and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is especially crucial as research has shown that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are also more likely to blame their difficulties with attention, impulsivity and organization on their own or social factors, rather than their ADHD.
Apart from medication, there are various treatment options for adults with ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps to identify and alter negative thoughts, whereas DBT teaches mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies and training in strategies for increasing concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in groups or individually and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note in this article, the term "women" is used to refer to those who were assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at the time of birth as "men" which includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD are unsure or embarrassed of their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes profoundly affect how ADHD manifests in women, it's common for females to be undiagnosed or not diagnosed. This can lead both to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and an increased likelihood of mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men, who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They can learn to work late into the night and utilize productivity apps to mask their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take a negative effects on self-esteem and eventually affect the quality of life.
The diagnostic process for women suffering from ADHD can be complicated and frustrating. The standard ADHD criteria were developed for men and may not accurately reflect all the symptoms women experience. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Clara was no different. adhd symptoms in adult women was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. However she was unable to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her mistakes were her fault, and that she wasn't adequate enough. Her self-confidence shattering was the result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara finally understood that her challenges were not her own personal shortcomings. She could stop viewing them as evidence of laziness and start to see her ADHD as an element that could be woven into an effective personal and professional life.
As awareness of the differences in the way ADHD manifests in women increases, the need to promote inclusion within research and treatment programs will be increasingly important. This is particularly relevant in the field of sexually-specific treatment, as the latest research focuses on understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing medications that work well for women. This should help in the diagnosis and treatment of women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.