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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and then internalize their anger. They may also experience emotional distress, including the sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms can also vary during hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. This makes it harder to identify. Signs and symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, as they are often masked. This can lead an incorrect diagnosis and a treatment that is not appropriate may cause even more problems. Women often report difficulties in getting diagnosed, especially when they are adults. This could be because the criteria for diagnosing were formulated based on studies conducted on males. Some experts are trying to improve the criteria. Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD in women can be similar to those in men. For example, many people with ADHD experience difficulty concentrating or listening. They might lose track of important tasks or get lost items. They may spend many hours organizing their office or home space, but they fail to keep up with it. They are often distracted by noise or other activities in the vicinity. People who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty relaxing and may be worried excessively about their health or the safety of others. If women and girls experience symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD It can affect every aspect of their lives. They may experience difficulties at work or school and may also experience difficulties with their romantic relationships and friendships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety, and may resort to unhealthy ways of coping like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can increase frustration and confusion in relationships with friends, family and colleagues. They may be criticized by coaches and teachers, or feel like they are being treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it more difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Over time many people who were not diagnosed with ADHD have developed strategies for coping. They may be up late at night to keep up with their work schedule or hide their struggles from loved ones. When they find out that their challenges are because of ADHD, it is like a lightbulb moment. They can then utilize their strengths to overcome challenges (such as creativity and high levels of energy). Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on the life of a person, their career, and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Certain people with ADHD who aren't diagnosed, develop an addiction to stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine. This can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. Diagnosis Many women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than they are in men. This could be because women are less inclined to tell health care professionals about their struggles and more likely to resort strategies to hide their ADHD symptoms. These coping mechanisms may require changing behaviors, such as working more hours at work or at school to make up for their lack in focus, or using productivity tools to help them stay focused and on the right track with tasks. These strategies for coping may work in the short term however they are usually draining and unsustainable. In adult add in women , because of gender stereotypes regarding what women should look as, a lot of people don't realize that the woman they know may have ADHD. Some symptoms may be more severe due to hormonal changes like menstrual or pregnancy. This can lead women to be misunderstood and dismissed as moody or overly emotional, which further exacerbates their anger. Some of the most common undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are inattention, forgetfulness as well as impulsivity, the tendency to move between tasks and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders, like anxiety and depression. These symptoms can be confused with those of ADHD and can lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment. The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to identify the condition. The symptoms of anxiety are feeling of anxiety, irritability, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not exhibit the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD. A professional diagnosis of undiagnosed ADHD can have a profound impact on women. In several studies, women reported that their symptoms reduced after they received an official diagnosis. They stopped blaming their own struggles and began to see their problems as something they could control. The process of determining if you have ADHD is a long process but the rewards are fantastic. The treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school and help them gain a better understanding of themselves. Treatment Girls and women often suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than men, which can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis and treatment. They are also more adept at masking their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek help or assistance. This could include having trouble remembering appointments, failing to finish tasks at school or at work, or experiencing difficulties in relationships. They could also be more at chance of being pushed to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being the victim of violence from their intimate partners because they aren't able to recognize and resolving to their own emotions. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study from 2020 showed that an undiagnosed or late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on the social-emotional health of a woman and her ability to build and maintain healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and sense of control. Studies have found that many women reported feeling more relaxed and more accepting of themselves after being diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment. It is important to know that research has proven that women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are less confident and less likely to seek help than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and organization problems on social or personal factors than on their ADHD. In addition to medication, there are various treatment options available for adults with ADHD. The most popular are cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical therapy. CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts, whereas DBT helps to teach mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies and training in strategies to increase focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is available in groups or individually, and it is specifically designed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: This article uses the term “women” to refer to females who were assigned at birth, regardless of their gender identity. Also, it refers to those who are male at birth as “men” and includes all gender identities. Support Many people who suffer from ADHD are afflicted with a sense of anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly influence the way ADHD presents in women, it's not uncommon for women to be overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed. This can lead to ineffective or inappropriate treatment, and a higher chance of developing mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Unlike men, who may suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more frequently, women are often better at masking their symptoms at work or at school. They can learn to work late into the night, and utilize productivity apps to hide their lack of attention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take their impact on self-esteem, and ultimately affect the quality of life. The process of diagnosing women with ADHD can be difficult and confusing. The standard ADHD criteria were designed for men and might not be able to capture all the symptoms women suffer from. This is why many women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are misdiagnosed with other conditions like anxiety and depression. Clara was not different. Clara was smart, hardworking and dedicated to her profession. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and that she wasn't good enough. Her confidence in herself was shattered as a result of an undiagnosed ADHD. It was a shock when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. adult add women understood that her issues were not her own personal failings. She was able to stop viewing them as a sign of laziness and begin to see her ADHD thread as a thread that could be woven into an authentic professional and personal life. As the understanding of the different ways in the way ADHD manifests in women increases, the need to promote inclusion within research and treatment programs will become increasingly crucial. This is especially true in the area of sex-specific treatments, as new research is geared towards understanding how gender affects the disorder and developing treatments that are suitable for women. It is hoped that this will lead to a better treatment and diagnosis for women with undiagnosed ADHD.