Blog entry by Delbert Silas
Undiagnosed ADHD in add women
Women with undiagnosed ADHD have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to the expectations of society and repress their frustration.
They can also suffer emotional distress, including rejection sensitivity. This can make them more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes, such as menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, since they can be disguised. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and a misguided treatment may cause more problems than they resolve. Many women report having difficulty getting diagnosed as well especially as 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 on improving these criteria.
The symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be quite similar to symptoms for men. Many people with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might lose track of important tasks or misplace things. They could spend a lot of time organizing their home or work space, but they fail to keep up with it. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty settling down and worry excessively about themselves or other people.
When girls and women experience symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD, it can affect all areas of their lives. They may experience difficulties at school or at work and struggle with friendships and romantic relationships. They may be depressed and anxiety, which is why they might resort to unhealthy strategies for coping like drugs or alcohol.
Undiagnosed ADHD may cause confusion and frustration in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. They could be judged by teachers and coaches, or feel that they are treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to focus and complete tasks on time.
Many people with undiagnosed ADHD develop coping strategies over the years. They might work late into the night to get ahead of their tasks or conceal their problems from family members. It's like a lightbulb moment when they realize that their struggles stem from ADHD. They can then use their strengths to overcome problems (such as creativity and high levels of energy).
Having 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. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues, such as stroke and heart disease.
Diagnosis
Many women with ADHD go undiagnosed because symptoms are harder to recognize in women than in men. 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 strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may require changing behaviors and habits, for example, putting in extra hours at work or at school to compensate for their inability of focus, or relying on productivity tools to keep them organized and on the right track with their tasks. These coping methods may work in the short run however they are usually draining and unsustainable.
In addition, because of gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people don't think that the woman they know may have ADHD. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can result in women being viewed as moody and overly emotional. This adds to the angst of these women.
The most frequently symptoms that are not diagnosed as adhd in women adults in women are forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating as well as impulsivity, the tendency to move from one task to another and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD and could cause being treated incorrectly and not correctly.
The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to identify the condition. The signs of anxiety include feelings of restlessness, difficulty concentration and a constant feeling that something isn't right. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders.
For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD getting an official diagnosis could be a game changer. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms have decreased after receiving an assessment. The fact that they had an external explanation for their problems helped them stop blaming themselves and start looking at their own problems as something they can control.
It can take time to diagnose ADHD and it can be a long time, but it's worth the long wait. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, help women succeed at school and work and give them an improved understanding of themselves.
Women and girls often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it harder to obtain an assessment and treatment. It is also possible that girls are more adept in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek assistance or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at work or school and also have issues in relationships. They could be more prone to be pushed into unintentional sexual behaviour or become victims of intimate partner abuse because they are unable to identify and respond to their own feelings.
Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have lasting negative impact on the emotional and social health of a woman as well as her ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. It can also affect the way she feels about her life and self-worth. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling more relaxed and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis for ADHD and receiving treatment.
It is important to remember that research has proven that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and organization on their own or social factors instead of on their ADHD.
There are a myriad of treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD apart from medication. The most well-known are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people recognize and overcome negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies as well as training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment is offered in group or individual sessions and is developed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note in this article, the term "women", is used to describe people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of gender identity. It also refers to those born male as "men" to include people of all gender identities.
Support
Many people with ADHD experience a sense anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the ways ADHD manifests in women. This is due to pressures from society, hormonal changes, and other factors. This can lead to inadequate or ineffective treatment, as well as an increased risk of developing mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men, who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They can learn to work late into the night, and make use of productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. These coping strategies can have a negative impact on self-esteem and the quality of your life.
The diagnostic process for women suffering from ADHD can be difficult and confusing. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they may not always capture the full spectrum of symptoms that women experience. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Clara was no different. She was smart, hardworking, and dedicated to her profession. But she was unable to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her mistakes were her fault, and that she wasn't sufficient enough. Her shattered confidence was a result of undiagnosed adhd in adult women treatment.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a moment of revelation. Clara realized that her issues were not a result of personal failures. She was able to stop viewing them as a sign of laziness and begin to look at her ADHD thread as a thread that can be woven into an effective professional and personal life.
As awareness of the differences in how ADHD manifests in women, the need to promote inclusion within research and treatment programs will become increasingly crucial. This is especially true when it comes to sex-specific treatments, as new research is focused on understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing medications that work well for women. We hope that this leads to better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.