adhd in women checklist in Women
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and then internalize their anger.
They may also be suffering from emotional stress, such as rejection sensitivity. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose.
Signs and symptoms
Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms as they tend to conceal them. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and incorrect treatment could cause more issues than they solve. Many women report having difficulty getting diagnosed as well, especially when they are adults. This is due to the diagnostic criteria are based upon research conducted by males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria.
Signs of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be quite similar to symptoms for men. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might forget important information or misplace items. They may spend many hours organizing their work or home space, but do not manage to keep up with it. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities that are happening around them. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may worry a lot about themselves or other people.
When women and girls suffer symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD it can impact the entirety of their lives. They can have trouble in school or at work and struggle with friendships and romantic relationships. They may be depressed and anxiety, which is why they might use unhealthy strategies to cope such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause more frustration and miscommunications in relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Teachers and coaches could criticize them or they may be unfairly treated at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines.
Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems throughout their lives. They may work into the early morning hours to keep up with their work, or hide from their loved ones their struggles. It's like a lightbulb moment when they realize that their struggles stem from ADHD. They can then learn how to overcome their difficulties and use their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD could cause negative effects on the person's career, relationships, and life. It can cause financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Some people who suffer from ADHD, who are not diagnosed are prone to developing an addiction to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues, like heart disease and stroke.
Diagnosis
Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are more difficult to detect. This could be because women are more reluctant to disclose to health professionals about their struggles and more likely to use coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may include changing their behaviour, for instance, working longer hours at work or school to help compensate for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay organized and on top of tasks. These coping strategies might work for a short time, but they are exhausting and not sustainable.
attention deficit disorder in women are unaware that women they know may have ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may also be exacerbated by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal. This could cause women to be viewed as moody or overly emotional, which can further increase their anger.
The most frequently undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating as well as impulsivity, a tendency to jump from one task to another, and difficulties maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common in women. They are also more likely than others to suffer from co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety. These conditions can have symptoms similar to ADHD and can cause the wrong diagnosis and treatment.
It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. The signs of anxiety include agitation, difficulty in concentration, and a constant sense that something isn't right. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in the anxiety disorders.
For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD getting an assessment from a professional can be a game-changer. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms decreased when they received a professional diagnosis. The fact that they had an external reason for their struggles allowed them to stop blaming themselves, and instead considering their own issues as something they can control.
The process of determining if you have ADHD takes time however the reward is amazing. The treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and in school and help them gain an understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Girls and women often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis and treatment. They may also be better in masked symptoms which makes it difficult to find help or support. It can be difficult to remember appointments or complete work at school or work and may have issues with relationships. They could also be at higher risk of being pushed to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being the victim of intimate partner violence because they aren't able to recognize and resolving their own emotions.
The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can be beneficial for these women. A study from 2020 found 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 form and maintain healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and sense of control. Many of the women in these studies felt a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving the diagnosis and treatment they needed for their ADHD.
It is important to remember that research has shown that women with undiagnosed ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and organization problems on social or personal factors rather than their ADHD.
Apart from medications, there is various treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. The most popular include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people recognize and change negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies with training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another option. The treatment can be provided in groups or individually and is geared to adults with ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word "women", is used to mean those who were assigned a female at birth, regardless of gender identity. It also refers people assigned male at the time of birth as "men" which includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people who suffer from ADHD feel a sense of anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed as a result of the way ADHD manifests in women. This is due to pressures from society as well as hormonal changes and other factors. This can lead both to a lack of effectiveness or improper treatment, as well as an increased chance of developing mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding their symptoms than men, who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive more often. They can become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their inattention. These strategies for coping can have a negative effect on self-esteem and ultimately the quality of your life.
The process of diagnosing women suffering from ADHD can be complicated and frustrating. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for males and may not capture all the symptoms women experience. In the end, many women with not been diagnosed with ADHD are misdiagnosed with other illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Clara was the same. Clara was intelligent and hardworking, as well as dedicated to her job. However, she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She felt that her failures were her fault and that she wasn't sufficient enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of an undiagnosed ADHD.
When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a moment of revelation. Clara realized that her issues weren't her own personal failings. She could stop looking at them as laziness-related signs, and start to look at her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven into an authentic professional and personal life.
As the understanding of the different ways in the way ADHD manifests in women and the need to encourage inclusion in treatments and research will be increasingly important. This is especially relevant to sex-specific treatment, as new research focuses on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and identifying a medications that work well for women. It is hoped that this will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.