Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and then internalize their anger.
They may also experience emotional distress, such as feelings of rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycle or pregnancy. This makes it harder to determine.
Symptoms
Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms, since they are often masked. This can lead to a wrong diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate can cause further problems. Many women report having difficulties in getting diagnosed especially as adults. This could be because diagnostic criteria were developed based on research done with males. Some experts are trying to improve these criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are usually like those experienced by males. Many people with ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They may forget important things or misplace items. They could spend long hours organizing their home or work space, but fail to keep up with it. They often get distracted easily by the noise or activities in the vicinity. People who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may be worried too much about their health or the safety of others.
When women and girls suffer symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD It can affect every aspect of their lives. They may experience difficulties at school or at work and struggle with relationships with their friends and romantic partners. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety and resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be criticized by coaches and teachers or feel they are being treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on tasks and meet deadlines.
Many people with undiagnosed ADHD develop coping strategies over the years. They may be up late at night to keep up with their tasks or conceal their struggles from loved ones. When they realize that their challenges are because of ADHD, it is like a lightbulb moment. They will then be able to understand how to overcome their difficulties and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD may cause negative effects on an individual's professional, social, and personal life. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Some people with ADHD, who are not diagnosed are prone to developing an dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines or cocaine. This can cause serious health issues, such as stroke and heart disease.
Diagnosis
Many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than in men. This could be because women are more reluctant to inform health professionals what's going on and more likely to resort strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could involve changing behavior for example, like putting in extra hours at school or work to compensate for their inability on the subject or using productivity tools to help them stay in control and on track with tasks. These coping mechanisms might work for the short amount of duration, but they are exhausting and do not last long.
In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women ought to be like, many people don't realize that the woman they know could have ADHD. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation or during pregnancy. This can lead to women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and emotionally tense. This can further increase the angst of these women.
The most commonly symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD among women are forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity and the tendency to move between tasks and have difficulty keeping relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and could result in incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose the condition. The signs of anxiety include agitation, difficulty in concentration and a constant feeling that something isn't right. Anxiety disorders don't have the impulsivity or lack of attention that is characteristic of ADHD.
For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD having an assessment from a professional can be a game changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms diminished after receiving an expert diagnosis. Having full report for their struggles helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they could control.
It can take time to diagnose ADHD and it can be a long time, but it's worth the wait. Treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and in school, and provide them with greater insight into themselves.
Treatment
Girls and women have different ADHD symptoms than males. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. They may also be better at masking their symptoms which makes it difficult to find help or support. This can include: forgetting appointments, being unable to complete school or at work, and having trouble in 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 their own emotions.
Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a significant difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a missed or late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on women's emotional and social well-being and ability to establish and maintain relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and confidence in her abilities to control. These studies found that many women reported feeling more relaxed and more accepting of 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 levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are also more likely to blame their struggles with attention, impulsivity, and organization on their own or social factors rather than on their ADHD.
There are many options for treating adults suffering from ADHD in addition to medication. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT assists people in identifying and alter negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies along with training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another alternative. This treatment can be delivered in individual or group sessions and is targeted towards adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to people assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. It also refers people assigned male at birth as "men" and includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people with ADHD are confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed as a result of the ways ADHD manifests in women. This is due to societal pressures and hormonal changes as well as other factors. This can lead both to inadequate or ineffective treatment, as well as an increased chance of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
In contrast to men, who might suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more often, females are often better at masking their symptoms in the workplace or school. They can be taught to work late into the evening, and use productivity apps to hide their inattention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take a negative effects on self-esteem and eventually affect the quality of life.
Even when women suffering from ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be frustrating and confusing. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they may not always capture the full range of symptoms women suffer. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Clara was not different. Clara was smart committed, hardworking and committed to her work. She struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She saw her mistakes as her own fault, and felt that she wasn't good enough. Her shattered self-confidence was the result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
It was a shock when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her struggles weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop seeing them as evidence of laziness and begin to look at her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into a meaningful professional and personal life.
As the understanding of the different ways in the ways ADHD manifests in women increases as well, the need to ensure inclusion within research and treatment programs will become increasingly important. This is especially relevant in the field of specific treatment for sex, as new research focuses on understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing medications that are suitable for women. This could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.