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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often feel their discontent with life. attention deficit disorder in women can also suffer from emotional stress like sensitivity to rejection. This can cause them to be more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes, like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. This can make it harder to identify. Signs and symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, as they are often masked. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and a misguided treatment could cause more issues than they solve. Many women report having difficulty getting diagnosed as well particularly when they are adults. This could be because the criteria for diagnosing were developed based on research conducted with males. Certain experts are trying to improve these criteria. Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be very similar to those for men. Many people with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might lose important items or misplace things. They could spend hours organising their home or office space, but fail to keep up. They are often distracted by noise or other activities that are happening around them. People with ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may worry a lot about themselves or others. adhd in women checklist can affect women and girls in every aspect of their lives. They may experience difficulties at the workplace or at school and have issues with their friendships and romantic relationships. They might suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety. They may also turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause confusion and frustration in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches might be critical of them or be unfairly treated at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines. Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD come up with strategies for coping over the years. They may work into the early morning hours to stay on top of their work or hide from their loved ones their struggles. When they find out that their problems are a result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then learn how to overcome their challenges and use their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on the person's work, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social exclusion as well as depression. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependency to stimulants, like cocaine and amphetamines. This can cause serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to spot in women than they are in males. This could be because women are less likely to tell health care professionals what's going on and more likely to resort methods of coping to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may require changing behaviors, such as taking on more hours at work or school to compensate for their lapses in focus or using productivity tools to keep them focused and on the right track with projects. These strategies for coping might work in the short term however they are usually exhausting and unsustainable. Many people are unaware that women they know might be suffering from ADHD due to gender stereotypes. Certain symptoms can be worsened due to hormonal changes like those that occur during menstruation or during pregnancy. This can lead to women being misunderstood or dismissed as being moody and emotional. This adds to the frustration of these women. The most commonly undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are memory loss, trouble concentrating, impulsivity and the tendency to move from one task to another and have difficulty keeping relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to experience coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD, which may result in being treated incorrectly and not correctly. It isn't easy to distinguish between anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness, difficulties in concentrating, 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. A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD can be life-changing for women. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms reduced after receiving an expert diagnosis. Having an external explanation for their problems helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead looking at their own problems as something they could manage. It takes time to diagnose ADHD however it is worth the waiting. Treatment of ADHD with medication and psychotherapy can improve relationships, assist women succeed at school and work and provide them with a better understanding of themselves. Treatment Girls and women often have different symptoms of ADHD than men, making it more difficult to receive diagnosis and treatment. It is also possible that they are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek help or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments or complete work at work or at school, and have problems in relationships. They may also be at a higher chance of being pushed to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being the victim of violence from their intimate partners due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving to their own emotions. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can have a positive impact on these women. A study from 2020 showed that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis could 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 in these studies reported feeling a sense relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving a diagnosis and treatment for their ADHD. It is important to note that research has proven that women with undiagnosed ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their problems with attention, impulsivity and organization on societal or personal factors instead of on their ADHD. There are many treatment options for adults with ADHD in addition to medication. Some of the most common include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT assists people in identifying and alter negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy that combines aspects of these therapies with instruction in strategies to improve concentration and focus is a second alternative. This treatment is available in groups or individually, and it is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note in this article, the term “women” is used to describe people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to people who are born male “men” to be inclusive of all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD feel a sense of guilt or confusion over their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes dramatically influence the way ADHD presents in women, it's not uncommon for women to be overlooked or not diagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment as well as an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders like anxiety and depression. Women are better at hiding their symptoms than men who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They are able to get used to working late into the night and depend on productivity apps to cover up their inattention. These strategies for coping can have a negative effect on self-esteem, and ultimately the quality of your life. Even when women suffering from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be confusing and frustrating. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed in men, so they may not always capture the full range of symptoms that women suffer from. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other disorders, such as anxiety or depression. Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking, and dedicated to her profession. But, she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She felt that her failures were her fault and she wasn't adequate enough. Her shattered self-confidence was the result of an undiagnosed 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 could no longer view them as evidence of laziness and start to see her ADHD as an element that could be used to create an authentic personal and professional life. As awareness of the various differences in the ways ADHD manifests in women increases as well, the need to ensure inclusion within treatments and research will become increasingly important. This is especially true in the areas of sexually-specific treatments, since new research is focused on understanding how gender affects the disorder and identifying medications that work well for women. This could result in better diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.