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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often internalize their discontent with life. They may also experience emotional distress, such as rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to engage dangerous behavior. ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes like menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This can make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD. Symptoms Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms because they often mask them. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment could cause more issues. Many women report having difficulties in getting diagnosed especially as adults. This could be due to the fact that diagnostic criteria were formulated based on studies conducted on males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to those of males. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might lose track of important tasks or misplace things. They may spend hours organizing their home or work space, but they aren't able to keep up. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities around them. People who suffer from ADHD can have trouble relaxing, and they may worry excessively about their health or the safety of others. When women and girls suffer symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD, it can affect the entirety of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or at work, and have problems with their friendships and romantic relationships. They may be depressed and anxiety, and they might use unhealthy strategies to cope like drugs or alcohol. Undiagnosed ADHD may result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. high functioning adhd in women may be criticized by coaches and teachers or feel they are treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and complete tasks on time. Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop strategies to cope with their problems over the years. They may be up late at night to get ahead of their work or hide their problems from family members. It's like a lightbulb when they realize that their struggles stem from ADHD. They will then be able to understand how to overcome their obstacles and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause negative effects on the person's career, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation and even depression. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependency to stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed because the symptoms are more difficult to spot in women than in males. This could be due to the fact that women have more trouble telling health care professionals about their issues and are more likely to resort to strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could include changing behavior and habits, for example, putting in extra hours at work or at school to compensate for their lapses on the subject or relying on productivity tools to keep them organized and on to schedule with their projects. These coping strategies might work for a short period of time, but they can be exhausting and not sustainable. Many people are unaware that a woman they know could be suffering from ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms can be caused by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation or menopause. This can lead women to be misunderstood and dismissed as a moody or emotional, which may increase their angst. Some of the most common undiagnosed signs of ADHD for women include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity and an ability to switch from one task to the next and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women. They are also more likely than others to suffer from co-existing disorders such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and may result in incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to determine the condition. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness difficulties in concentrating and a constant feeling that something isn't right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or lack of attention that is characteristic of ADHD. For women with undiagnosed ADHD having an official diagnosis could be a game-changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms reduced after receiving an expert diagnosis. Finding an external reason for their struggles helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead looking at their own problems as something they could manage. It takes time to diagnose ADHD and it can be a long time, but it's worth the waiting. Treating ADHD by utilizing therapy and medication can improve relationships, prepare women for success at work and at school, and provide them with greater insight into themselves. Treatment Women and girls often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, making it harder to obtain diagnosis and treatment. It is also possible that they are more adept in hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to get assistance or support. undiagnosed adhd in women can be difficult to remember appointments or complete work at work or at school and also have issues in relationships. They may also be at higher risk of being pushed into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of intimate partner violence, due to their difficulty recognizing and responding to their own emotions. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a huge difference for these women. A study from 2020 found that an undiagnosed or late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative impact on the emotional and social health of a woman, as well as her ability to build and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect her confidence in her life and self-worth. Many women who participated in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and increased self-acceptance after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD. It is important to note that research has shown that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek assistance than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their impulsivity, attention and organization problems on their social or personal circumstances rather than their ADHD. Apart from medications, there is a variety of treatment options available for adults with ADHD. The most popular include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people identify and overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies and training in strategies for increasing focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is offered in individual or group sessions, and is developed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: In this article, the word “women”, is used to describe those who were assigned female at birth, regardless of gender identity. adhd in women treatment refers to people assigned male at birth as “men” to be inclusive of all gender identities. Support Many people with ADHD are in a state of confusion or fearful of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly affect how ADHD is perceived by women, it's typical for women to be overlooked or not diagnosed. This can lead both to a lack of effectiveness or improper treatment, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. 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 at school. They may learn to work late into the evening, and make use of productivity apps to hide their lack of attention. These coping strategies can have a negative impact on self-esteem and the quality of your life. The process of diagnosing women with ADHD can be difficult and confusing. The traditional ADHD criteria were created for males and may not accurately reflect all the symptoms women experience. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions, like anxiety or depression. Clara was not an exception. Clara was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. But she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault, and that she was not sufficient enough. Her confidence shattered was a knock-on effect of undetected ADHD. It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her issues weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop seeing them as evidence of laziness and consider her ADHD as a thread that can be woven into an effective personal and professional life. As awareness of the differences in how ADHD manifests in women increases as well, the need to ensure inclusion within treatments and research will become more important. This is especially relevant in the field of sex-specific treatment, as new research focuses on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and developing medications that are suitable for women. This will hopefully lead to better diagnosis and treatment of women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.