10 Things You've Learned From Kindergarden To Help You Get Undiagnosed ADHD In Women
Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and then internalize their anger. They may also be suffering from emotional distress like sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage risky behaviours. ADHD symptoms can also vary with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal. This makes it more difficult to diagnose. Signs and symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms because they are often masked. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and incorrect treatment may cause more problems than they resolve. Women also have trouble diagnosing themselves, particularly when they reach adulthood. This could be because diagnostic criteria were formulated based on studies conducted on males. Certain experts are trying to improve these criteria. The symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be quite similar to symptoms in men. For instance, many women with ADHD experience difficulty concentrating or listening. They might lose important items or lose items. They may spend long hours organizing their home or work space, but fail to keep up with it. They are often distracted by noise or other activities around them. People who suffer from ADHD can have trouble relaxing, and they may worry too much about their health or the safety of others. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in all aspects of their life. They may be struggling at school or work as well as having issues with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause more frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Teachers and coaches might be critical of them or feel unfairly treated at work. ADHD can cause problems in focusing and keep deadlines. Many people with undiagnosed ADHD develop coping strategies over the years. They might be up late at night to keep up with their work or hide their issues from family members. It's like a lightbulb moment when they realize that their issues are caused by ADHD. They can then understand how to overcome their obstacles and use their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD could have a negative impact on an individual's career, relationships, and life. It can cause social isolation, financial instability as well as depression. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependency to stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues, such as stroke and heart disease. Diagnosis Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are harder to spot. This could be because women are less inclined to disclose to health professionals what they're going through and more likely to resort methods of coping to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may require changing their behavior, such as working longer hours at work or school to make up for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay organized and on top of tasks. These coping strategies may work in short periods of period of time, but they can be exhausting and are not sustainable. Many people are unaware that women they know might have ADHD due to gender stereotypes. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation or during pregnancy. This can lead women to be viewed as a moody or emotional, which may increase their anger. The most frequently undiagnosed signs of ADHD for women include inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity, the tendency to move between tasks, and difficulties maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common among women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety. These symptoms can be confused with those of ADHD and could result in wrong diagnosis and treatment. The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose the condition. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness trouble concentration, and a constant sense that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not exhibit the impulsivity or inattention that are characteristic of ADHD. For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD having an official diagnosis could be a game changer. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms have decreased after they received the diagnosis. The fact that they had an external reason for their struggles helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they could control. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is not easy however the reward is fantastic. Treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and school, and provide them with a better understanding of themselves. Treatment Girls and women often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it more difficult to get a diagnosis and treatment. It is also possible that girls are better at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get assistance or support. This could include forgetting appointments, being unable to complete school or at work, and experiencing difficulties in relationships. They may also be at a higher chance of being pushed into unwanted sexual activity or being the victim of violence from their intimate partners because they have trouble recognizing and resolving to their own emotions. Early diagnosis and effective 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 a woman's emotional well-being as well as her ability to build and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-esteem and sense of control. These studies found that many women reported feeling more relaxed and more accepting of themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment. This is especially crucial, because research shows that women with undiagnosed ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and organization problems on their social or personal circumstances rather than their ADHD. In addition to medications, there is various treatment options for adults with ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts, while DBT is a method of teaching mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which blends aspects of these therapies with training in strategies to improve concentration and focus is a second option. This treatment can be found in individual or group sessions and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note in this article, the word “women”, is used to mean those who were assigned a female at birth regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at birth as “men”, to include all gender identities. Support Many people with ADHD feel a sense of guilt or confusion over their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the way ADHD manifests in women. This is due to societal pressures and hormonal changes as well as other factors. This can lead both to a lack of effectiveness or improper treatment, and a higher likelihood of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Unlike men, who may experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, females tend to be more adept at masked their symptoms in the workplace or school. They can be taught to work late into the evening, and use productivity apps to mask their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms can take a toll 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 frustrating and confusing. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they might not be able to capture the full spectrum of symptoms that women experience. Many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other disorders, such as depression or anxiety. Clara was not an exception. Clara was intelligent committed, hardworking and committed to her work. But she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. attention deficit in women viewed her failures as her own fault, and felt that she was not good enough. Her shattered confidence was a direct result of a nebulous ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a revelation. Clara understood that her challenges weren't her own personal failings. She could stop seeing them as laziness-related signs, and begin to see her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven into a meaningful personal and professional life. As awareness of the various differences in how ADHD manifests in women grows and the need to encourage inclusion in research and treatment programs will become more important. This is particularly true in the area of sexually-specific treatments, since new research is geared towards understanding how gender influences the disorder and developing medications that are effective for women. This should result in better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.