Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often internalize their discontent with life.
They can also suffer emotional distress, including feelings of rejection. This can make them more likely to engage in risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also vary in response to hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. This can make it harder to identify.
Signs and symptoms
Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms as they tend to mask them. This can lead an incorrect diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate could cause more issues. Many women have difficulties getting diagnosed, especially when they are adults. This could be due to the fact that the criteria for diagnosing were formulated on the basis of research conducted with males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria.
The symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be very similar to those for men. For instance, many people with ADHD struggle with concentration or listening. They might forget important information or lose items. They could spend hours organising their home or work space, but not keep up. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty settling down and worry excessively about their own or others.
When girls and women experience symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD it can impact the entirety of their lives. They may experience difficulties at the workplace or at school and struggle with relationships with their friends and romantic partners. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety, and may use unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and confusion in relationships with family members, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches may criticize them or they may be treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it harder to focus on work and meet deadlines.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems over the years. They may be up late at night to stay ahead of their work or hide their struggles from loved ones. When they find out that their problems are a result of ADHD, it is like an epiphany. They can then understand how to overcome their challenges and use their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage.
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. Certain people who suffer from ADHD, who are not diagnosed, develop an addiction to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines. This can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than they are in males. This could be due the fact that women have more trouble telling health care professionals about their struggles and are more likely to employ coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could involve changing their behaviour, for instance, working extra hours at school or at work to help compensate for their lack of focus, or using productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on task with tasks. These coping methods might work in the short-term, but are often exhausting and not sustainable.
Additionally, due to gender stereotypes about what women ought to be like, many people don't think that the woman they know might have ADHD. Certain symptoms can be worsened due to hormonal changes such as those during menstruation or pregnancy. More can cause women to be misunderstood and dismissed as moody or overly emotional, which further exacerbates their frustration.
The most frequently undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD among women are memory loss, trouble concentrating as well as impulsivity, an ability to switch from one task to the next and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common in women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and could result in wrong diagnosis and treatment.
It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. The signs of anxiety include feeling of agitation, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is not right. The impulsivity and lack of attention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders.
For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD, receiving a professional diagnosis can be a game changer. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms have decreased after they received a diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their difficulties and began to view their problems as something they could control.
The process of determining if you have ADHD is a long process but the rewards are amazing. Treatment of ADHD with medication and psychotherapy can improve relationships, assist women achieve at work and school and help them gain a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Women and girls typically have different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it harder to obtain an assessment and treatment. They also may be better in hiding their symptoms which makes it difficult to get help or support. This can include: having trouble remembering appointments, failing to complete work or school, and having issues with relationships. They could also be at a higher risk of being pressured to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being the victim of intimate partner violence because they have trouble recognizing and responding to their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can be beneficial for these women. A study from 2020 found that an undiagnosed or late diagnosis can have lasting negative impacts on the emotional and social health of a woman, as well as her ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. It can also impact her sense of control over 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 especially crucial due to the fact that research has shown 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 attention, impulsivity and organizational issues on social or personal factors than on their ADHD.
In addition to medication, there are various treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT helps to identify and alter negative thoughts, while DBT teaches mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies with instruction in strategies to improve focus and concentration, is another option. The treatment can be provided in group or individual sessions, and it is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to people assigned female at birth, regardless of affirmed gender identity. Also, it 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. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly influence how ADHD is perceived by women, it's typical for women to be overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. This can lead to ineffective or inappropriate treatment, and a higher chance of developing mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms than men who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive more often. They are able to get used to working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take their impact on self-esteem, and ultimately impact the quality of life.
Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be confusing and frustrating. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed for men, so they may not be able to capture the full range of symptoms women suffer. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
Clara was not an exception. Clara was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. However she was unable to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She saw her mistakes as her own fault and felt like she wasn't good enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a moment of revelation. Clara realized that her struggles were not the result of her own faults. She could no longer view them as signs of laziness and start to see her ADHD as a thread that can be woven into a meaningful professional and personal life.
As the understanding of the different ways in the way ADHD manifests in women as well, the need to ensure inclusion in research and treatment programs will become more crucial. This is especially relevant in the field of sex-specific treatment, as new research focuses on understanding how gender affects the disorder and identifying a medication that works well for women. We hope that this leads to a better diagnosis and treatment for women with undiagnosed ADHD.