7 Tips To Make The The Most Of Your Untreated ADHD In Female Adults
ADHD in Female Adults Symptoms
ADHD is a condition that affects males and females. However, the expectations of society & gender roles make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women are also better at masking their symptoms, which can cause misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.
Remaining stereotypes, referral biases, internalized symptoms and comorbidities can all create roadblocks to a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Here are some female adults' symptoms that aren't treated for adhd.
1. Difficulty Focusing
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ADHD are more common in males and females, women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are not yet diagnosed 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.
The signs of inattention ADHD are a lack of organization or on task, forgetting important appointments or things, and easily being distracted by social or work occasions. It can be difficult for women suffering from this disorder to sit and focus on homework or other work at work or school. Women with ADHD can have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to depression, anxiety, or medical problems.
People who have inattention ADHD often try to hide their symptoms. Their behavior could be misinterpreted by others, leading to misunderstandings, frustration and conflict in their relationships. In the workplace, it can lead to lost opportunities and career challenges.
As a result, the effects of untreated ADHD in female adults can be devastating. Women may have difficulty to manage their issues both at home and in the workplace. This makes it difficult for them to maintain a steady pace while they take on multiple tasks and strive to meet the goals that they set for themselves.
Alongside having issues focusing, many women with ADHD struggle to find emotional support from their family and friends. In the end, they can become isolated or develop unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors such as alcohol use.
Women with untreated ADHD can also develop internalizing symptoms like low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, shame or a sense of worthlessness. This can lead them to be more vulnerable to stress, physical illness and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. They are more likely than those who do not suffer from the condition to commit suicide or self-harm. Receiving a diagnosis can help a woman feel more confident in taking steps to transform her life for the better. To get a diagnosis the woman should first speak with a qualified health professional for an evaluation and effective treatment.
2. Problems with Time Management
ADHD symptoms are difficult to manage in the workplace, particularly. Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD typically have a difficult to complete tasks at work and managing their daily schedule. They might forget important documents or appointments or rely on productivity apps to keep on track. These apps are useful but they are not a substitute for good organizational skills.
The gender role expectations of women can also contribute to the symptoms of ADHD. Society expects women to be the caretakers of their family and home which requires a certain level of coordination that those with ADHD struggle to maintain. This social pressure can cause feelings of guilt and shame for women with ADHD who attempt to meet those demands which can cause them to conceal their symptoms.
Problems with time management can lead to frustration, both in personal and professional relationships. ADHD symptoms can cause you to underestimating the time needed to complete tasks, causing you to be late for meetings or other commitments. Consider using a checklist or a calendar to track deadlines if you are frequently late for events. Take breaks frequently to move around and clear your mind. Also, utilize a timer while working.
You can also use mindfulness techniques to remain focused and cut down on distractions. For instance, instead of listening to music or podcasts while working, you can listen to an article on your smartphone. If you find it difficult to concentrate while driving, consider switching to a manual transmission car. You can also consider driving with your cell phone turned off to prevent distracted texting and phone calls.
Once you are diagnosed with ADHD, an expert in mental health can recommend treatment and strategies for coping. Treatment options can include medications, like stimulants, and psychotherapy. The kind of therapy your doctor recommends will depend on your specific needs and what's going on in your life. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you to learn to accept your thoughts and feelings while changing negative behaviors for healthier ones. You can also seek out couples or family therapy to improve communication in your relationships.
3. Depression and anxiety
Females who suffer from ADHD are more prone to depression and anxiety than males. They can struggle to cope with these symptoms, leading to a range of unhealthy behavior. For evidence based treatment for adhd in adults , they may take up drug use or develop unhealthy eating patterns to deal with their symptoms. These actions can make symptoms worse. Women are also more likely to get these problems misdiagnosed. As a result, they are treated incorrectly which can further aggravate their mood and cause other issues.
It's important to recognize that many factors can cause similar symptoms as those experienced by ADHD, including stress and certain physical ailments and illnesses. That's why it's essential to consult a health care provider or a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Researchers suspect that this difference in the prevalence of ADHD diagnosis between males and females is due to a mix of social and biological gender roles. Women are typically expected to take on more parenting and household chores than their male counterparts. This can cause feelings of low self-esteem and dysfunctional beliefs, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Additionally, women are less likely to report their symptoms to a healthcare professional because they believe they're able to manage them on their own. Women with ADHD may also be more likely than other people to blame their symptoms on other factors, for example, sleep deprivation or stress. This can result in many women who suffer from ADHD not being diagnosed until later in life.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 epidemic has been especially difficult for young adults. They have greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than adults in their middle age. The peak in these levels coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and occurred during a time of racial justice protests, mass shooting events, decades-high inflation, Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as recurring climate disasters and the rise in unemployment. Stress exposure, both chronic and recent, is known to increase anxiety and depression. This combination of factors may explain why these levels are so persistently high.
4. Problems in Making Friends
Women with untreated ADHD are more likely to have difficulty making and maintaining friends particularly as they age. Social isolation can be associated with a range of health issues, including high blood pressure and chronic stress. The presence of close family and friends members who offer support can be helpful, but many adults find that they simply can't make new friends or maintain their current relationships.
Social norms regarding gender and sexuality may affect whether or not women suffering from ADHD receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. In one study, parents and teachers were less likely to refer girls with ADHD to services 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.
The social expectations for girls and women may also contribute 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. Girls and women are more likely to suffer the consequences of ADHD-related symptoms like inattention and disorganization. They could be misdiagnosed as having depression or anxiety and their ADHD symptoms may not be properly treated.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can also amplify ADHD symptoms in females. Estrogen levels are lower at the end of their menstrual cycle as well as during ovulation, and this can make girls' and women's symptoms appear worse. This can cause confusion among adolescents, especially when they are combined with hormonal changes. It can be difficult to identify and treat them appropriately.
Although many of the same treatment options are available for women with ADHD However, a mental health professional will still have to evaluate the individual's needs and symptoms. The type of treatment a person receives is based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms as in addition to other factors that could be the cause of their issues. For example trauma, a history of depression or a traumatic experience. The most common treatment options are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where people learn to change their negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Couples counseling can help individuals improve their communication skills and solve issues in their relationships.
