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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and internalize their frustration. They also may suffer from emotional distress including sensitivity to rejection. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behavior. ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes, such as menstruation or pregnancy. adhd symptoms in women adults makes it more difficult to diagnose. Signs and symptoms Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms because they often cover them up. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and incorrect treatment may cause more problems than they resolve. Many women have difficulty being diagnosed, particularly in their later years. This could be because the criteria for diagnosing were developed based on research done with males. Some experts are working to improve these criteria. The symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be very similar to those for men. For instance, many women suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They might forget important tasks or get lost items. They can spend hours organizing their home or office space, but not keep up. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People who suffer from ADHD can have trouble relaxing, and they may worry over their health and the safety of others. When girls and women experience 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 romantic relationships and friendships. They might be afflicted with low self-esteem and anxiety, so they may use unhealthy strategies to cope like drugs or alcohol. Undiagnosed ADHD may cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. They can be criticized by teachers and coaches, or feel like they are being treated unfairly at work. adhd in women uk can make it difficult to focus and meet deadlines. Many people with undiagnosed ADHD develop coping strategies over the years. They might be up late at night to get ahead of their tasks or conceal their problems from family members. When they discover that their challenges are because of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then understand how to overcome their obstacles and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on the person's career, life and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Certain people with ADHD who aren't diagnosed have an addiction to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines. This can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed because the symptoms are harder to recognize in women than in men. This could be due the fact that women have a harder time telling health care professionals about their issues and are more likely to use strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies could require changing behaviors for example, like putting in more hours at school or work to compensate for their lapses in focus or relying on productivity tools to keep them focused and on the right to schedule with their projects. These coping methods might be effective in the short-term but they can be draining and unsustainable. Additionally, due to gender stereotypes regarding what women should look like, many people do not think that the woman they know might have ADHD. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes, such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can result in women being dismissed or viewed as being moody and emotional. This adds to the anger of these women. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and an impulsive nature. They also have a tendency jump from one thing to the next and have difficulty maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience co-existing conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD and could cause being treated incorrectly and not correctly. The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to diagnose 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 inattention that are characteristic of ADHD. A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD could be life-changing for women. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms diminished after they received the diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their problems and began to look at their struggles as something they could control. The process of determining if you have ADHD is not easy but the rewards are fantastic. Treating ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and school, and provide them with an understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it more difficult to receive diagnosis and treatment. adhd symptoms in women adults is also possible that they are more adept in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to receive assistance or help. It is often difficult to remember appointments or complete work at work or at school and also have issues in relationships. They may be more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by intimate partners because they aren't able to recognize and respond to their own feelings. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a significant difference for these women. A study from 2020 found that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative impact 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 sense of control over her life and self-worth. A majority of women who participated in these studies reported feeling a sense relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD. This is especially important, because research shows that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their impulsivity, attention and problems with organization on social or personal factors rather than their ADHD. Apart from medications, there is a variety of treatments available to adults suffering from ADHD. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT helps to identify and alter 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 focus and concentration, is another option. This treatment can be found in individual or group sessions and is developed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note in this article, the term “women”, is used to mean those who were assigned a 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 suffering from ADHD are unsure or embarrassed of their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes dramatically influence how ADHD presents in women, it's typical for women to be overlooked, misunderstood, or not diagnosed. This can lead to inadequate or ineffective treatment, as well as an increased risk of developing mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Contrary to men, who can suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more frequently, women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms in the workplace or at school. They can become adept at working late into the night and rely on productivity apps to cover up their lack of attention. These coping strategies can have a negative impact on self-esteem, and ultimately the quality of your life. The diagnostic process for women with ADHD can be complicated and frustrating. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for males and may not be able to capture all the symptoms that women suffer from. As a result, many women with undiagnosed ADHD are misdiagnosed with other illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking and dedicated to her career. Yet, she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and she wasn't sufficient enough. Her shattered self-confidence was the result of undiagnosed ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a revelation. Clara realized that her issues weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop viewing them as a sign of laziness and begin to look at her ADHD thread as a thread that can be woven in to an effective professional and personal life. As awareness of the various differences in how ADHD manifests in women increases, the need to promote inclusion in research and treatment programs will become increasingly crucial. This is especially true in the area of sex-specific treatments, as new research is geared toward understanding how gender influences the disorder and developing treatments that are effective for women. We hope that this leads to a better diagnosis and treatment for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.