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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often internalize their discontent with life. They may also experience emotional stress, which can include feelings of rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behavior. ADHD symptoms can also vary with hormonal changes like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal changes. This makes them more difficult to diagnose. Signs and symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms since they tend to conceal them. adhd in adult women test can lead to a wrong diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate can cause further problems. Women also have trouble diagnosing themselves, particularly in their later years. This is due to the diagnostic criteria are based on studies conducted in males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are usually similar to those of males. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They might forget important information or misplace items. They could spend hours organising their home or office space, but fail to keep up. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities that are happening around them. People who suffer from ADHD are prone to having trouble sleeping and may worry too much about their health or the safety of others. When women and girls suffer symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD it can impact every aspect of their lives. They may experience difficulties at school or work and may also experience difficulties with their relationships with friends and romantic relationships. They can have low self-esteem and anxiety, and they might turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD may result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches might criticize them or they may be treated unfairly at work. ADHD can cause problems in focusing and complete tasks on time. Over the years many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have developed coping strategies. They may work until the early hours of the morning to keep up with their workload or conceal from their loved ones the struggles they face. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their problems are due to ADHD. They can then learn how to overcome their obstacles and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD may affect an individual's career, relationships, and life. It can lead to social isolation, financial instability, and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependency to stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than men, as the symptoms are harder to spot. This could be due the fact that women have a harder time telling health care professionals about their struggles, and are more likely to employ coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may involve changing behavior and habits, for example, taking on extra hours at work or at school to compensate for their lapses on the subject, or relying on productivity tools to keep them organized and on track with projects. These strategies for coping might work in the short run however they are usually exhausting and not sustainable. In addition, due to gender stereotypes about what women should be like, many people do not think that the woman they know might be suffering from ADHD. Certain symptoms can be worsened due to hormonal changes, such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can cause women to be viewed as a moody or emotional, which may increase their angst. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and the tendency to be impulsive. They also tend to jump between different things and have difficulties maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common among women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions can be confused with those of ADHD and may result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share many symptoms. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness difficulty in concentrating and a constant feeling that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention that are characteristic of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders. For women with undiagnosed ADHD, receiving an assessment from a professional can be a game changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms reduced after receiving an expert diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their own problems and began to look at their challenges as something that they could control. It takes time to identify ADHD, but it is worth the waiting. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, assist women achieve at work and school and give them an improved understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls typically suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it harder to obtain a diagnosis and treatment. They are also more adept at masking their symptoms and making it more difficult to get help or support. This could include not remembering appointments, not being able to complete work or school, and having trouble in relationships. They may be more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual behaviour or become victims of intimate partner abuse because they aren't able to acknowledge and react to their own feelings. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can have a positive impact on these women. A study from 2020 found that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative impact on the emotional and social health of a woman, as well as her ability to form and keep healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and confidence in her abilities to control. Many of the women in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving a diagnosis and treatment for their ADHD. This is especially 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 counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their problems with attention, impulsivity and organization on their own or social factors, rather than their ADHD. There are a myriad of options for treating adults suffering from ADHD apart from medication. Some of the most common are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps people identify and change negative behavior and thoughts, whereas DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which combines aspects of these therapies with instruction in strategies to improve focus and concentration is a different alternative. This treatment can be found in group or individual sessions and is designed for adults with ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word “women”, is used to mean people who were 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 are unsure or embarrassed of their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the ways ADHD manifests in women. This is due to social pressures as well as hormonal changes and other factors. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment, and an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders like anxiety and depression. Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms than men, who tend to be more impulsive or hyperactive. They can learn to work late into the evening, and use productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms can take a toll on self-esteem and ultimately impact the quality of life. The diagnostic process for women with ADHD can be confusing and frustrating. Traditional ADHD criteria were developed by men, so they might not be able to capture the full spectrum of symptoms that women suffer from. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions such as anxiety or depression. Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking and committed to her work. Yet she was unable to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failures were her own fault and felt like she wasn't adequate enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of an undiagnosed ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a moment of revelation. Clara realized that her issues were not due to her personal flaws. She could stop looking at them as signs laziness, and begin to see her ADHD thread as a thread which can be woven in to a meaningful personal and professional life. As women's ADHD is more well-known, it will become increasingly important to include them in research and treatment initiatives. This is particularly important in the area of sex-specific treatments, as new research is focused on understanding how gender affects the disorder and identifying medications that are effective for women. This will hopefully help in the diagnosis and treatment for women with undiagnosed ADHD.