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 with life.
They also may suffer from emotional distress including sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage dangerous behaviours.
ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes like menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. This can make it difficult to diagnose.
Signs and symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms because they are often hidden. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and a misguided treatment may cause more problems than they solve. Many women have difficulty getting diagnosed, especially when they reach adulthood. This is due to the diagnostic criteria are based on studies conducted by males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to the symptoms of men. For example, many people with ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They might forget important tasks or misplace things. They could spend hours organising their work or home space, but not keep up. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities that are happening around them. People suffering from ADHD might have trouble relaxing and are often anxious about themselves or other people.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in all aspects of their life. They may experience difficulties at school or at work, and struggle with friendships and romantic relationships. They may be depressed and anxiety, so they may resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like drugs or alcohol.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Teachers and coaches might be critical of them or be treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to focus and complete tasks on time.
Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems over the years. They may work late into the night to keep up with their work or hide their problems from family members. When they find out that their problems are a result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then leverage their strengths to overcome challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on the life of a person, their career and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health issues, including heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are harder to recognize in women than they are in men. This could be due the fact that women are more hesitant communicating with health professionals about their struggles, and are more likely to employ strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies could involve changing behavior for example, like taking on more hours at school or work to make up for their lack of focus, or relying on productivity tools to help them stay organized and on to schedule with their tasks. These coping strategies may work in short periods of duration, but they are exhausting and do not last long.
In addition, because of gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people do not realize that the woman they know could be suffering from ADHD. Some symptoms may also be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. This could cause women to be viewed as moody or overly emotional, which can further increase their angst.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, difficulties in concentrating and an impulsive nature. They also tend to jump from one thing to the next and have trouble maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common in women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety. signs of add in adult women could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety are feeling of agitation, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders.
For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD, receiving an official diagnosis could be a game changer. In several studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished when they received an official diagnosis. Finding an external explanation for their problems let them stop blaming themselves and start viewing their own challenges as something they can control.
It takes time to diagnose ADHD however it is worth the wait. The treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and school and help them gain greater insight into themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms than 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 help or support. This can include: having trouble remembering appointments, failing to finish tasks at school or at work, or having issues with relationships. They may also be at a higher chance of being pushed to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being victims of intimate partner violence, due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving their own emotions.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a huge difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that a missed diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative impact on the emotional and social health of a woman and her ability to form and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect the way she feels about her life and self-esteem. These studies found that many women reported feeling more relaxed and more comfortable with themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is particularly important due to the fact that research has shown women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and problems with organization on personal or social factors rather than their ADHD.
There are many treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD apart from medication. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT helps people identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies and training in strategies to increase concentration and focus is a different option. This treatment is offered in group or individual sessions and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note in this article, the word "women", is used to describe those who were assigned female at birth regardless of their 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 underdiagnosed because of the manner in which ADHD manifests in women. This is due to social pressures as well as hormonal changes and other factors. This can lead to ineffective or inappropriate treatment, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men, who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They may become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take a negative effects on self-esteem and eventually impact the quality of life.
Even when women suffering from ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be a bit confusing and difficult. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed in men, so they may not accurately reflect the full range of symptoms that women experience. In the end, many women who have undiagnosed ADHD are mistakenly diagnosed with other conditions like depression and anxiety.
Clara was the same. She was smart, hardworking and dedicated to her career. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her mistakes were her fault and she wasn't good enough. Her confidence shattered was a knock-on effect of undetected ADHD.
It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara understood that her challenges weren't her own personal failings. She could stop seeing them as laziness-related signs, and begin to look at her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven into an effective professional and personal life.
As women's ADHD becomes more well-known and recognized, it will become more important to include them in treatment and research. This is especially relevant in the field of specific treatment for sex, as new research is focused on determining how gender influences the disorder and creating medication that works well for women. We hope that this leads to better treatment and diagnosis for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.