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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women with undiagnosed ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and internalize their frustration. They also may experience emotional stress, which can include feelings of rejection. This can cause them to be more likely to engage in risky behavior. ADHD symptoms can also vary during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal changes. This can make them more difficult to diagnose. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, as they are often masked. This can lead to a wrong diagnosis, and the wrong treatment may cause even more problems. Many women also report difficulty being diagnosed, particularly when they reach adulthood. This could be because diagnostic criteria were developed based on research conducted with males. Some experts are trying to improve the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women are often very like those experienced by men. Many people with ADHD struggle with concentration and listening. They might lose important items or misplace items. They may spend hours organizing their work or home space, but fail to keep up. They are often distracted by noise or other activities around them. People with ADHD can have trouble relaxing, and they may worry too much about their health or the safety of others. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their life. They may experience difficulties at the workplace or at school and have problems with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety and use unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD may result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches may criticize them or be unfairly treated at work. Having ADHD can make it more difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop coping strategies throughout their lives. They might work until the early hours of the morning to complete their work, or hide from their family members their struggles. When they realize that their problems are a result of ADHD, it is like a lightbulb moment. They can then leverage their strengths to overcome problems (such as creativity and high levels of energy). Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on a person's life, career and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social exclusion, 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 heart disease or stroke. Diagnosis Women suffering from ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than males because the symptoms are harder to detect. adhd symptoms in adult women could be due to the fact that women have more trouble communicating with health professionals about their struggles and are more likely to resort to strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could require changing behaviors and habits, for example, putting in more hours at school or work to compensate for their lapses on the subject, or using productivity tools to help them stay organized and on to schedule with their tasks. These strategies for coping might be effective in the short-term, but are often exhausting and not sustainable. Many people are unaware that women they know may be suffering from ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Certain symptoms can also be exacerbated by hormonal changes, like those that happen during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause. This can lead to women being viewed as moody and emotionally tense. This can further increase the frustration of these women. Some of the most common undiagnosed signs of ADHD for women include inattention, forgetfulness as well as impulsivity, the tendency to move from one task to the next and have difficulty keeping relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions can be confused with those of ADHD and may result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. It isn't easy to distinguish between anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety include feeling of anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating and a constant feeling that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders. A diagnosis from a professional of undiagnosed ADHD could be life-changing for women. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms decreased after receiving a diagnosis. Finding an external explanation for their problems let them stop blaming themselves and begin viewing their own challenges as something they can control. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is a long process but the rewards are great. Treatment of ADHD by psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, help women achieve in school and work, and provide them with a better understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it more difficult to receive diagnosis and treatment. They also may be better in hiding their symptoms and making it more difficult to seek help or assistance. This could include not remembering appointments, not being able to finish tasks at school or at work, and having issues with relationships. They may also be at higher chance of being pushed into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of violence from their intimate partners due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving their own emotions. Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a significant difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that a missed diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative impacts on the emotional and social health of a woman as well as her ability to establish and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and confidence in her abilities to control. A majority of women in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and a sense of self-confidence that increased after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD. weblink is important to remember that research has proven that women with undiagnosed ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek assistance than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and problems with organization on social or personal factors than on their ADHD. There are a variety of treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD in addition to medication. The most well-known include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts, while DBT helps to teach mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies with training in strategies to improve concentration and focus is a different option. This treatment can be found in either individual or group sessions, and is designed for adults with ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term “women” to refer to women who are assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. Also, it refers to people assigned male at birth as “men” to include people of all gender identities. Support Many people with ADHD are unsure or embarrassed of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes significantly influence the way ADHD manifests in women, it's not uncommon for females to be undiagnosed, misunderstood, or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead both to ineffective or inappropriate treatment, and a higher likelihood of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In contrast to men, who might experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, women tend to be more adept at masked their symptoms in the workplace or school. They may become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their inattention. These coping strategies can have a negative effect on self-esteem and the quality of your life. Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be a bit confusing and difficult. The standard ADHD criteria were created for men and may not capture all the symptoms women suffer from. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions such as depression or anxiety. Clara was not different. She was a smart, hardworking, and committed to her work. adhd in adult women symptoms struggled to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed with the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and she was not sufficient enough. Her shattered confidence was a result of a nebulous ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a shock. Clara realized that her struggles were not the result of her own faults. She was able to stop seeing them as signs of laziness and start to look at her ADHD as a thread that can be used to create an effective personal and professional life. As awareness of the various differences in the ways ADHD manifests in women grows as well, the need to ensure inclusion in research and treatment initiatives will become increasingly crucial. This is especially relevant in the field of specific treatment for sex, as new research is focused on understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing medications that are suitable for women. This will hopefully help in the diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.