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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women with undiagnosed ADHD often experience low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often feel their frustration with life. They also may suffer from emotional distress including sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviours. ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. This makes them more difficult to diagnose. Signs and symptoms Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms as they tend to conceal them. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment could cause more issues than they solve. Many women report having difficulties getting diagnosed particularly when they are adults. This could be because diagnostic criteria were formulated on the basis of research done with males. Some experts are working to improve these criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to the symptoms of men. Many people with ADHD struggle with concentration and listening. They might lose important items or misplace things. They could spend hours organising their home or work space, but fail to keep up. They often get distracted easily by noise or activities that are happening around them. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and worry excessively about their own or others. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in all aspects of their lives. They may experience difficulties at school or at work and may also experience difficulties with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may be depressed and anxiety, and they might use unhealthy strategies to cope like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and miscommunications in relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. Teachers and coaches may criticize them or be unfairly treated at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines. Over time many people who were not diagnosed with ADHD have developed coping strategies. They may work until the early hours of the morning to keep up with their work, or hide from their loved ones the struggles they face. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their struggles stem from ADHD. They can then learn how to overcome their obstacles and use their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a lasting impact on the life of a person, their career, and relationships. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than in men. This could be due the fact that women are more hesitant communicating with health professionals about their struggles and are more likely to use strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could require changing their behavior, for example, working longer hours at work or school to compensate for their lack of focus or using productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on top of tasks. These coping methods might work in the short term but they can be exhausting and not sustainable. Many people are unaware of the fact that a woman they know could be suffering from ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes, such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can result in women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and emotionally tense. This further exacerbates the frustration of these women. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women include forgetfulness, difficulties in concentrating and impulsivity. adult adhd symptoms women are also prone to jumping from one thing to another and have trouble maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more prevalent in women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from co-existing disorders such as anxiety or depression. Symptoms of these conditions can be confused with those of ADHD and could result in wrong diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to determine the cause of anxiety and ADHD due to the fact that they share many symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety include feelings of restlessness, difficulty concentrating and a constant feeling that something is not right. The impulsivity and lack of attention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders. A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD can be life-changing for women. Women in several studies have reported that their symptoms diminished after receiving an assessment. They stopped blaming themselves for their own problems and began to look at their problems as something they could control. It can take time to diagnose ADHD however it is worth the waiting. Treatment of ADHD by psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, assist women achieve at work and school 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 get an assessment and treatment. It is also possible that girls are better in hiding their symptoms, making it harder to receive assistance or support. This can include: not remembering appointments, not being able to complete tasks at school or at work, and experiencing difficulties in relationships. They may be more likely to be pushed into inappropriate sexual behavior or become victims of intimate partner abuse because they aren't able to recognize and respond to their own feelings. Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that a late or missed diagnosis can have lasting negative impacts on a woman's emotional well-being as well as her ability to build and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-esteem and confidence in her abilities to control. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling happier and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and receiving treatment. It is important to know that research has shown that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help 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. There are a myriad of options for treating adults suffering from ADHD in addition to medication. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT assists people in identifying and change negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies as well as training in strategies for increasing concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in individual or group sessions, and it is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: This article uses the term “women” to refer to people assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity. Also, it refers to people assigned male at birth as “men” to be inclusive of all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD are afflicted with a sense of anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes significantly affect how ADHD presents in women, it's common for females to be undiagnosed, misunderstood, or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead both to a lack of effectiveness or improper treatment, and an increased chance of developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Women are better at hiding their symptoms than men who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive more often. They are able to get used to working late into the night and rely on productivity apps to hide their lack of attention. 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 frustrating and confusing. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed for men, so they might not be able to capture the full spectrum of symptoms that women suffer from. In the end, many women who have undiagnosed ADHD are mistakenly diagnosed with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Clara was the same. She was a smart, hardworking, and committed to her work. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her work. She viewed her failures as her own fault and believed that she wasn't sufficient. Her confidence shattered was a direct result of undetected ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD it was a revelation. Clara realized that her challenges weren't her own personal failings. She could no longer view them as signs of laziness and begin to see her ADHD as a thread that can be weaved into an authentic 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 within research and treatment programs will become more important. This is especially true in the area of sexually-specific treatment, as the latest research is focused on determining how gender influences the disorder and identifying a medication that works well for women. We hope that this leads to a better diagnosis and treatment for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.