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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women with undiagnosed ADHD experience low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and internalize their anger. They may also be suffering from emotional distress like sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms can also change during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. This makes it harder to identify. Signs and symptoms Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms because they often conceal them. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and incorrect treatment could cause more issues than they resolve. Many women have difficulty diagnosing themselves, particularly when they reach adulthood. This could be due to the fact that diagnostic criteria were developed based on research done with males. Some experts are trying to improve the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to those of men. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might forget important information 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 often distracted by noise or activities around them. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty settling down and worry excessively about their own or others. When women and girls suffer symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD it can impact the entirety of their lives. They can have trouble in the workplace or at school and have problems with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. They can be criticized by coaches and teachers or feel like they are treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with inattentive add in women can make it more difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Over the years, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They might work until the early morning hours to keep up with their workload or conceal from their family members their struggles. inattentive add in women 's like a lightbulb when they realize that their issues are caused by ADHD. They can then understand how to overcome their challenges and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD may affect a person’s career, relationships, and life. It can cause financial instability, social exclusion, and even depression. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health issues, including stroke and heart disease. 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 due to the fact that women are more hesitant communicating with health professionals about their issues and are more likely to use strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could involve changing behavior, such as putting in more hours at school or work to make up for their lack in focus or using productivity tools to help them stay in control and on the right track with their projects. These coping strategies may work in short periods of duration, but they are exhausting and do not last long. In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women ought to be as, a lot of people don't think that the woman they know could have ADHD. Some symptoms can be caused by hormonal changes, like those that happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can cause women to be viewed as moody or emotionally overly emotional, which can further increase their frustration. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and the tendency to be impulsive. They are also prone to jumping between different things and have trouble maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders, like depression and anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and could result in wrong diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety include feeling of agitation, trouble in concentrating, and a constant sense that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD. A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD can have a profound impact on women. Women in several studies have reported that their symptoms decreased after receiving an assessment. They stopped blaming themselves for their own struggles and began to see their struggles as something they could control. Finding a diagnosis of ADHD is not easy however the reward is amazing. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, help women succeed at work and school and provide them with a better understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls typically suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it more difficult to get a diagnosis and treatment. They are also more adept at masking their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek help or assistance. This could be due to forgetting appointments, being unable to complete tasks at work or school, and experiencing difficulties in relationships. They may be more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual behaviour or become victims of abuse from intimate partners because they're unable to recognize and respond to their own feelings. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a huge difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a late or missed diagnosis can have lasting negative effects on women's emotional and social well-being and ability to establish and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and confidence in her abilities to control. These studies found that many women reported feeling more relaxed and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and receiving treatment. It is important to note that research has revealed that women with undiagnosed ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek assistance than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their difficulties with impulsivity, attention, and organization on personal or societal factors rather than on their ADHD. Aside from medication, there are various treatments available to adults with ADHD. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT helps identify and change negative thoughts, while DBT helps to teach mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies and training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in groups or individually, and it is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: This article employs the term “women” to refer to females who were assigned at birth, regardless of affirmed gender identity. Also, it refers to people born male as “men” to include people of 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 dramatically influence how ADHD is perceived by women, it's not uncommon for females to be underdetected, misunderstood, or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and a higher likelihood of mood disorders like depression and anxiety. In contrast to men, who might experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, females tend to be more adept at masked their symptoms in the workplace or school. They can be taught to work late into the evening, and make use of productivity apps to hide their inattention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take a impact on self-esteem, and ultimately affect the quality of life. Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be a bit confusing and difficult. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for males, and therefore they do not be able to capture the full range of symptoms that women suffer from. In the end, many women who have undiagnosed ADHD are mistakenly diagnosed with other illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. Clara was the same. She was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. But she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She felt that her failures were her fault, and that she wasn't good enough. Her self-confidence shattering was the result of an undiagnosed ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a revelation. Clara finally understood that her issues were not her own personal flaws. She could no longer view them as evidence of laziness and begin to look at her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into an authentic personal and professional life. As women's ADHD is more well-known, it will become increasingly important to include women in treatment and research initiatives. This is especially true in the area of specific treatment for sex, as new research is focused on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and developing medications that work well for women. Hopefully, this will lead to a better treatment and diagnosis for women with undiagnosed ADHD.