A TimeTravelling Journey What People Talked About Undiagnosed ADHD In Women 20 Years Ago

Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD experience low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and then internalize their anger.
They also may suffer from emotional distress, such as rejection sensitivity. This can cause them to be more likely to engage in risky behavior.
ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal. This makes it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Symptoms
Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms since they tend to cover them up. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate can cause further problems. Many women have difficulties getting diagnosed especially as adults. This could be because the criteria for diagnosing were formulated based on studies conducted on males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria.
Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are usually similar to the symptoms of men. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They may forget important tasks or misplace things. They may spend a lot of time organizing their work or home space but do not manage to keep up with it. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People with ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may be worried too much about their health or the safety of others.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their lives. They can have trouble in school or at work and have issues with their friendships and romantic relationships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety. They may also resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as alcohol or drugs.
Undiagnosed ADHD could result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches could criticize them or feel unfairly treated at work. Having ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines.
Over the years many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have developed strategies for coping. They may work late into the night to stay ahead of their work schedule or hide their issues from family members. It's like a lightbulb moment when they realize that their problems are caused by ADHD. They can then learn how to overcome their challenges and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage.
Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-term impact on a person's life, career and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Certain people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop an addiction to stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health issues, such as stroke and heart disease.
Diagnosis
Women with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are harder to detect. This could be due 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 coping strategies could require changing behaviors, such as working additional hours at work or school to compensate for their inability in focus or using productivity tools to keep them in control and on track with projects. These coping strategies may work in the short amount of period of time, but they can be exhausting and are not sustainable.
In addition, because of gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people do not realize that the woman they know may be suffering from ADHD. Some symptoms may be more severe due to hormonal changes such as menstrual or pregnancy. This could cause women to be viewed as a moody or emotional, which further exacerbates their anger.
The most commonly symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD for women include inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity, the tendency to move between tasks and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to suffer from coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
It isn't easy to distinguish between anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety include feelings of restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, and a constant sense that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in the anxiety disorders.
A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD could be life-changing for women. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished when they received a professional diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their difficulties and began to view their problems as something they could control.
It takes time to identify ADHD however it is worth the wait. Treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and school and help them gain a better understanding of themselves.
Treatment
Females and females have different ADHD symptoms as do males. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that girls are more adept at hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get help or support. This could include having trouble remembering appointments, failing to complete tasks at work or school, and having issues with relationships. They are more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual behaviour or become victims of abuse from intimate partners because they are unable to acknowledge and react to their own feelings.
Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 found that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have lasting negative effects on the social-emotional 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. These studies found that many women reported feeling happier and more comfortable with themselves after receiving a diagnosis for ADHD and receiving treatment.
This is particularly important, because research shows that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male peers. They are more likely to blame their impulsivity, attention and organizational issues on their social or personal circumstances rather than their ADHD.
Aside from medications, there is various treatments available to adults suffering from ADHD. The most well-known are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people identify and alter 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 to increase focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is available in individual or group sessions, and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: This article uses the term "women" to refer to people assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. Also, it refers to those who are male at the time of birth as "men" which includes all gender identities.
Support
Many people suffering from ADHD feel a sense of shame or confusion about their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes significantly influence how ADHD manifests in women, it's common for women to be overlooked or not diagnosed. This can lead to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and an increased chance of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
In contrast to men, who might have hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, females tend to be better at hiding their symptoms in the workplace or school. They are able to get used to working late into the night and depend on productivity apps to cover up their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take a negative effects on self-esteem and eventually affect the quality of life.
Even when women suffering from ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be frustrating and confusing. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed for males, and therefore they do not always capture the full spectrum of symptoms women suffer. Many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking, and dedicated to her profession. But she was unable to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She felt that her failures were her fault and she was not adequate enough. Her shattered confidence was a direct result of undiagnosed ADHD.
It was a revelation when she was diagnosed as having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her challenges were not her own personal failings. adhd in older women could stop seeing them as laziness-related signs, and start to consider her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven into an authentic professional and personal life.
As women's ADHD becomes more widely known and more well-known, it will be increasingly important to include women in research and treatment initiatives. This is especially true in the area of specific treatments for sex, as new research is geared towards understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing medications that work well for women. This could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.