Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often experience low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations, and often internalize their discontent with life.
They may also be suffering from emotional stress like sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage dangerous behaviours.
ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. This can make it difficult to diagnose.
Signs and symptoms
Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms, since they are often hidden. This can lead to a wrong diagnosis, and the wrong treatment can cause further problems. Many women have difficulties in getting diagnosed especially as adults. signs of adhd in women could be due to the fact that diagnostic criteria are based upon research conducted in males. Certain experts are trying to improve the criteria.
Signs of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be similar to those in men. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They might forget important tasks or get lost items. They can spend hours organizing their home or work space, but they aren't able to keep up. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People with ADHD may have difficulty settling down and may worry a lot about their own or others.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their lives. They may be struggling at school or work, and also have difficulties with their relationships with their partners and friends. They might be afflicted with low self-esteem and anxiety, which is why they might use unhealthy strategies to cope like alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Teachers and coaches might be critical of them or feel unfairly treated at work. ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and meet deadlines.
Over the years, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They might work until the early morning hours to complete their work, or hide from their loved ones their struggles. When they find out that their struggles are the result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then use their strengths to overcome their challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Undiagnosed ADHD could affect a person’s work, relationships, and life. It can lead to social isolation, financial instability as well as depression. Certain people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop an addiction to stimulants, like amphetamines and cocaine. This can lead to serious health problems, including 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 telling health care professionals about their struggles and are more likely to use coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may include changing their behaviour, for instance, working extra hours at school or work to make up for their lack of focus, or employing productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on top of tasks. These strategies for coping might be effective in the short run however they are usually exhausting and not sustainable.
In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people don't realize that the woman they know may have ADHD. Some symptoms can be caused by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. This can lead to women being dismissed or viewed as being moody and emotional. This further exacerbates the frustration of these women.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and an impulsive nature. They also have a tendency jump from one thing to another and have trouble maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common among women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from coexisting conditions such as anxiety or depression. The symptoms of these conditions could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and could result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
It can be difficult to determine the cause of anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. The signs of anxiety include feeling of anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating and a constant feeling that something isn't right. The impulsivity and inattention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders.
For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD, receiving a professional diagnosis can be a game-changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms diminished after receiving an official diagnosis. The fact that they had an external explanation for their problems let them stop blaming themselves and begin viewing their own challenges as something they could control.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD takes time, but the payoff is amazing. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, help women excel in school and work, and give them an improved understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms as do men. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that they are better in hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to get assistance or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at work or at school and may have issues with relationships. They are more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual behaviour or become victims of abuse from intimate partners because they aren't able to recognize and respond to their own emotions.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a late or missed diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on a woman's emotional well-being and ability to form and maintain relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. Many women in these studies reported feeling a sense relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD.
This is especially crucial as research has shown that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are more likely to blame their impulsivity, attention and organizational issues on social or personal factors rather than their ADHD.
In addition to medications, there is many treatments available to adults with ADHD. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT helps people recognize and change negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies for increasing focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is offered in group or individual sessions and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note in this article, the term "women" is used to refer to people who were assigned female at birth regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at birth as "men" and includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people with ADHD are confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes significantly affect how ADHD is perceived by women, it's typical for women to be overlooked or not diagnosed. This can lead to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and a higher chance of developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men who are hyperactive or impulsive more often. They may become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to cover up their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms can take a negative effects on self-esteem and eventually impact the quality of life.
Even when women with ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be confusing and frustrating. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for men, so they might not always capture the full spectrum of symptoms women suffer. Many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Clara was not an exception. Clara was intelligent, hardworking and dedicated to her job. However she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and that she was not sufficient enough. Her confidence shattered was a knock-on effect of undetected ADHD.
It was a shock when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her issues were not the result of her own faults. She could no longer view them as evidence of laziness and see her ADHD as a thread that can be weaved into a meaningful professional and personal life.
As women's ADHD is more well-known, it will become increasingly important to include women in treatment and research initiatives. This is particularly true in the area of specific treatments for sex, as new research is geared towards understanding the impact of gender on the disorder and identifying medications that are suitable for women. It is hoped that this will lead to a better diagnosis and treatment for women with undiagnosed ADHD.