ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms

ADHD is a condition that affects men & women. However, the expectations of society and gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women can also mask their symptoms better, which could result in them being incorrectly diagnosed or delayed in treatment.

Internalized symptoms, referral bias persistent stereotypes and comorbidities are all obstacles to a correct diagnosis. Here are some female adult symptoms that aren't treated for adhd.

1. Problems with Focusing

Although the hyperactive and impulsive signs of ADHD are more prevalent for both genders, women and people born female (AFAB) are still underdiagnosed for the condition. This is in part because women's symptoms are more often inattentive than those of the hyperactive/impulsive type, which make them less likely to get referred for assessment and treatment.

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are a lack of organization or on task, forgetting important dates or items, and being easily distracted by social or work events. It can also be hard for women with this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other tasks at work or school. Women with ADHD may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of depression, anxiety, or medical problems.

People with inattention ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. People may misinterpret their behavior, causing confusion, anger and conflict in relationships. This can result in missed career opportunities and challenges at work.

Untreated ADHD can have devastating effects on females. Women may have difficulty to deal with their problems both at home and in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to keep afloat as they take on multiple responsibilities and attempt to achieve goals that they set for themselves.

Many women with ADHD struggle to focus and also struggle to get emotional support from family members and friends. As a result they may become lonely or develop self-defeating patterns like alcohol abuse.

Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms, such as low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation. This makes them more vulnerable to physical and mental stressors and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. They are more likely than people who don't have the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. Being diagnosed can help a woman feel more confident in taking steps to transform her life to the best of her abilities. To get a diagnosis, a woman must first consult a qualified healthcare provider for an evaluation and effective treatment.

2. Problems with Time Management

ADHD symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially at work. Women with undiagnosed ADHD often have a harder working through work assignments and coordinating their daily schedule. They may lose important appointments or paperwork or rely on productivity apps to stay on top of things. These apps can be useful but they are not able to replace the need for good organizational skills.

The gender role expectations of women can also increase the symptoms of ADHD. Society expects women to be the caretakers of their family and home, which requires some degree of coordination that those with ADHD struggle to maintain. This pressure from society can cause women with ADHD to feel ashamed and blame themselves for failing to meet these demands.

Time management problems can lead to frustration, both in professional and personal relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks, causing you to be late to meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a planner to keep on track of deadlines when you are frequently late for events. Take frequent breaks to move around and calm your mind. Also, utilize a timer while working.

You can also use mindfulness techniques to help you stay on task and reduce distractions. Listening to news stories on your phone instead of music or podcasts can be an alternative to music while working. If you are having trouble concentrating while driving, consider switching to a manual-transmission car. It is also possible to drive with your cell phone turned off to avoid distracted texting and phone calls.

If you're diagnosed with ADHD, the mental health professional can recommend treatment and strategies for coping. Treatment options include stimulants as well as psychotherapy. The type of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on the specific symptoms you have and what's going on in your life. For instance, cognitive behavior therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings, while swapping out negative patterns of behavior for healthier ones. You can also seek out family or couples therapy to improve communication within your relationships.

3. Anxiety Disorders and Depression

Females suffering from ADHD tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety than their male counterparts. They may struggle to deal with these symptoms, leading to a range of unhealthy behavior. To cope with their symptoms, they might use substances or develop unhealthy eating habits. These actions can worsen symptoms. Additionally women are more likely to be misdiagnosed for these issues. As a result, they are treated incorrectly which can further aggravate their mood and trigger other problems.

It's important to note that a myriad of factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD such as stress and certain physical conditions and illnesses. It is important to speak with a mental health professional or a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Researchers suspect that this disparity in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis between males and women is due to a combination of biological and socially constructed gender roles. Women are expected to perform more household and parenting work than men. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and cause dysfunctional beliefs that can lead to the emergence of symptoms of ADHD.

Women may also be less likely than men to inform a doctor about their symptoms, believing that they can handle them themselves. Women with ADHD also may be more likely to blame their symptoms on other factors such as lack of sleep or stress. This could lead to a lot of women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until adulthood.

Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly challenging for young adults. They have higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their mid-life. The peaks in these levels coincided with the peaks in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred in a period of racial justice protests, mass shootings, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine and recurring climate catastrophes and rising unemployment. Chronic and recent stress exposure is known to be a risk cause for depression and anxiety, so this combination of factors could help explain why these levels have been so constantly increased.


4. Trouble Making Friends

Women with untreated ADHD may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships, particularly in adulthood. Social isolation can be linked to a variety of health issues, such as high blood pressure and chronic stress. It is beneficial to have close family members and friends who can provide support, but many adults struggle to maintain or establish new connections.

The social norms relating to gender and sex can affect whether women suffering from ADHD receive the treatment and diagnosis they need. In adhd in adults symptoms and treatment , parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls with ADHD to treatment than boys. This is thought to be partly due to the different types of symptoms that manifest in girls and boys: boys and men typically display hyperactive/impulsive-type symptoms, while girls and women typically show primarily inattentive-type symptoms.

These societal expectations for women and girls could be a contributing factor to ADHD symptoms. Girls and women are often held to a higher standard than boys and men for the behaviors, attitudes, and traits they exhibit--particularly in relation to their empathy and ability to relate to others. Women and girls are more likely to suffer punishment for symptoms of ADHD like disorganization and inattention. In the end, they could be mistakenly diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, and their ADHD symptoms may not be appropriately treated.

In addition hormonal fluctuations can cause ADHD in females. Estrogen levels decrease at the end of menstrual cycles and during ovulation, and this can make women's and girls' symptoms appear to be more severe. This can lead to confusion in adolescents, particularly when it is combined with hormonal changes. It is difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.

Although many of the same treatments are available to women with ADHD However, a mental health professional will still have to evaluate each individual's symptoms and needs. The type of treatment a person receives depends on their ADHD symptoms as in addition to other factors that could be contributing to their difficulties. For example trauma, a history of trauma or depression. A few common treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps individuals learn to alter their negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones, as well as couples counseling, which can help individuals improve communication and resolve issues in their relationships.