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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have low self-esteem. adhd symptoms women struggle to meet societal expectations, and often internalize their discontent with life. They may also experience emotional stress, which can include the sensitivity to rejection. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behavior. ADHD symptoms can also change in response to hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal. This can make it more difficult to diagnose. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, as they are often hidden. This can lead to a wrong diagnosis and the wrong treatment can cause further problems. Many women have difficulty being diagnosed, particularly in adulthood. This is due to the diagnostic criteria are based on research conducted in males. Some experts are working to improve the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are typically similar to those of men. For instance, many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They may forget important things or misplace things. They could spend a lot of time organizing their work or home space, but they are unable to keep track of it. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People with ADHD are prone to having trouble sleeping, and they may worry too much about their health or the safety of others. If women and girls experience symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD, it can affect the entirety of their lives. They can have trouble in the workplace or at school and struggle with romantic relationships and friendships. They might suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety, and may resort to unhealthy ways of coping such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD could result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. They could be judged by coaches and teachers, or feel like they are treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it harder to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Over time many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have developed coping strategies. They might work late into the night to keep up with their tasks or conceal their issues from family members. It's like a lightbulb moment when they realize that their issues are due to ADHD. They can then understand how to overcome their obstacles and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD may have a negative impact on the person's work, relationships, and life. It can lead to social isolation, financial instability and depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop an addiction to stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. This can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than males because the symptoms are harder to spot. This could be because women are more reluctant to tell health care professionals what they're going through and more likely to resort coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could require changing behaviors, such as putting in extra hours at school or work to make up for their lack on the subject, or relying on productivity tools to keep them organized and on the right track with their tasks. These coping methods might work in the short term but they can be draining and unsustainable. In adhd symptoms women , due to gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people don't realize that the woman they know may have ADHD. Some symptoms can be caused by hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. This can cause women to be misunderstood and dismissed as a moody or emotional, which further exacerbates their frustration. The most commonly undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity, an ability to switch between tasks, and difficulties maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can have symptoms that are similar to ADHD and can result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to determine the condition. The symptoms of anxiety are feeling of agitation, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention of ADHD are not present in the anxiety disorders. For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD having an official diagnosis could be a game changer. Women in several studies have reported that their symptoms decreased after they received an assessment. The fact that they had an external reason for their struggles allowed them to stop blaming themselves and start looking at their own problems as something they can control. It can take time to diagnose ADHD and it can be a long time, but it's worth the long wait. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, assist women excel in school and work, and give them an improved understanding of themselves. Treatment Girls and women often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it more difficult to receive a diagnosis and treatment. They are also more adept in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to get help or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments, complete tasks at work or 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 victims of intimate partner violence due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving their own emotions. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis could have long-lasting negative impacts on the emotional and social health of a woman and her ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. It can also impact her sense of control over her life and self-worth. Studies have found that many women reported feeling happier and more accepting of themselves after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and receiving treatment. This is especially important as research has shown that women with undiagnosed ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their struggles with attention, impulsivity, and organization on personal or societal factors rather than on their ADHD. Aside from medication, there are various treatment options available for adults with ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT assists people in identifying and change negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT provides skills to improve mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies along with instruction in strategies to improve concentration and focus is a second alternative. This treatment is available in group or individual sessions and is developed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word “women”, is used to describe those who were assigned a female at birth regardless of their gender identity. It also refers people assigned male at birth as “men” which includes all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD feel a sense of anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the ways ADHD manifests in women. This is due to societal pressures as well as hormonal changes and other factors. This can lead both to ineffective or inappropriate treatment, and an increased chance of developing mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Unlike men, who may have hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, women are often better at masking their symptoms in the workplace or school. They are able to get used to working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to cover up their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take their toll on self-esteem and ultimately impact the quality of life. The process of diagnosing women with ADHD can be difficult and confusing. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they may not accurately reflect the full spectrum of symptoms women suffer. As a result, many women who have undiagnosed ADHD are mistakenly diagnosed with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Clara was no different. Clara was smart, hardworking and dedicated to her job. Yet she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She saw her mistakes as her own fault and felt like she was not good enough. Her shattered confidence was a direct result of undetected ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD it was a revelation. Clara realized that her issues were not a result of personal failures. She could stop looking at them as signs laziness, and start to see her ADHD thread as a thread that could be woven in to a meaningful personal and professional life. As awareness of the differences in the ways ADHD manifests in women grows, the need to promote inclusion in research and treatment initiatives will become increasingly crucial. This is particularly important in the area of sexually-specific treatments, since new research is geared toward understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing treatments that work well for women. Hopefully, this will lead to improved treatment and diagnosis for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.