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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to society's expectations, and often internalize their frustration with life. They can also suffer emotional distress, including rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to engage dangerous behaviours. ADHD symptoms can also vary during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms Women may struggle to identify their ADHD symptoms since they tend to cover them up. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and the wrong treatment could cause more issues. Many women have difficulty being diagnosed, particularly in their later years. signs of add in adult women can be because the diagnostic criteria are based upon research conducted by males. Certain experts are working to improve these criteria. Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be very similar to those in men. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They might lose important items or misplace things. They may spend long hours organizing their office or home space, but are unable to keep track of it. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty settling down and are often anxious about their own or others. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect women and girls in all aspects of their life. They may be struggling at school or work, and also have difficulties with their relationships with their partners and friends. They might suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety, and may use unhealthy coping strategies like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between family members, friends and coworkers. They could be judged by coaches and teachers or feel like they are being treated unfairly at work. ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate and complete tasks on time. Over time, many people with undiagnosed ADHD have developed strategies for coping. They might work until the early morning hours to stay on top of their work or hide from their family members their struggles. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their problems stem from ADHD. They can then use their strengths to overcome their problems (such as creativity and high levels of energy). 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. Certain people with ADHD, who are not diagnosed have an addiction to stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines. This can cause serious health problems, such as 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 due the fact that women have a harder time telling health care professionals about their issues and are more likely to employ coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies can involve changing their behaviour, for instance, working long hours at school or at work to help compensate for their inability to focus or employing productivity tools to stay on top of and on track with their tasks. These coping strategies can be effective in a short period of time, but they can be exhausting and are not sustainable. Additionally, due to gender stereotypes regarding what women should look like, many people do not realize that the woman they know could be suffering from ADHD. Some symptoms may be more severe due to hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstruation or during pregnancy. This can result in women being dismissed or viewed as moody and overly emotional. This further exacerbates the anger of these women. The most frequently symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD among women are inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity and a tendency to jump from one task to another and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience co-existing disorders, like depression and anxiety. These conditions may have symptoms that are similar to ADHD and could cause an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to identify the condition. The symptoms of anxiety are feelings of restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, and a constant sense that something is wrong. The impulsivity and inattention of ADHD are not present in anxiety disorders. For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD getting an official diagnosis could be a game changer. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished after receiving an official diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their own problems and began to look at their challenges as something that they could control. The process of determining if you have ADHD takes time however the reward is great. Treating ADHD by utilizing therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school, and provide them with greater insight into themselves. Treatment Females and females have different ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also possible that girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek assistance or support. It can be difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at work or school and may have issues with relationships. They may also be at a higher chance of being pushed into unwanted sexual activity or being the victim of intimate partner violence because they have trouble recognizing and resolving to their own emotions. Early diagnosis and a successful treatment can make a significant difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a late or missed diagnosis can have lasting negative effects on a woman's emotional well-being as well as her ability to build and maintain relationships. It can also affect her self-esteem and sense of control. Many women in these studies felt a sense of relief and increased self-acceptance after receiving a diagnosis and treatment for their ADHD. It is important to know that research has shown that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their difficulties with impulsivity, attention, and organization on societal or personal factors, rather than their ADHD. There are many treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD in addition to medication. The most popular include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT assists people in identifying and overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies with instruction in strategies to increase concentration and focus is a different option. This treatment can be found in either individual or group sessions and is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note in this article, the word “women”, is used to refer to people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of gender identity. Also, it refers to those who are male at birth as “men”, to include all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD are confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Because societal pressures and hormonal changes significantly affect how ADHD is perceived by women, it's typical for females to be underdetected or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead to inappropriate or ineffective treatment and a greater likelihood of 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 are able to get used to working late into the night and depend on productivity apps to cover up their inattention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take a impact on self-esteem, and ultimately impact the quality of 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 always capture the full range of symptoms women suffer. Many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions, like anxiety or depression. Clara was no different. Clara was smart and hardworking, as well as committed to her work. However, 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 sufficient enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of undiagnosed ADHD. It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her struggles weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop seeing them as signs of laziness and start to look at her ADHD as a thread that can be used to create an effective personal and professional life. As awareness of the differences in the ways ADHD manifests in women grows and the need to encourage inclusion in treatments and research will be increasingly important. This is particularly true in the area of sexually-specific treatment, as the latest research is focused on determining the role gender plays in the disorder and developing medications that are suitable for women. We hope that this leads to improved treatment and diagnosis for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.