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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and then internalize their frustration. They can also suffer from emotional stress like sensitivity to rejection. This can cause them to be more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. This can make it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms because they often cover them up. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and the wrong treatment could cause more issues than it solves. Many women also report difficulty being diagnosed, 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 the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women are often very similar to the symptoms of men. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They might lose important items or misplace items. They may spend a lot of time organizing their home or work space, but they are unable to keep track of it. They are often distracted by noise or other activities around them. People suffering from ADHD may have difficulty settling down and are often anxious about their own or others. When girls and women experience symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD it can impact all areas of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or work, and also have difficulties with their relationships with friends and romantic relationships. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety and use unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD could cause frustration and misunderstandings in relationships between friends, family and coworkers. Teachers and coaches could criticize them or be treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with 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 strategies to cope. They may work late into the night to keep up with their work or hide their problems from family members. When they find out that their problems are a result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They will then be able to understand how to overcome their difficulties and leverage their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a lasting impact on the person's career, life and relationships. It can lead to financial instability, social exclusion, and even depression. Certain people who suffer from ADHD who aren't diagnosed, develop an addiction to stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine. This can cause serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Women with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed than males because the symptoms are harder to detect. This could be because women are more reluctant to inform health professionals about their struggles and are more likely to resort to coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. These coping strategies may include changing their behavior, such as working long hours at school or work to compensate for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay organized and on top of tasks. These strategies for coping might be effective in the short-term but they can be exhausting and unsustainable. Additionally, due to gender stereotypes about what women should be as, a lot of people don't know that the woman they know could have ADHD. Certain symptoms can also be caused by hormonal changes, like those that happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal. This can lead to women being dismissed or viewed as moody and overly emotional. This adds to the angst of these women. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and impulsivity. They are also prone to jumping between different things and have difficulty maintaining relationships. Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD are also more likely to experience coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can have symptoms similar to ADHD, which may result in being treated incorrectly and not correctly. The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to identify the condition. The signs of anxiety include feeling of anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating and a constant feeling that something is wrong. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention that are characteristic of ADHD. A diagnosis from a professional of undiagnosed ADHD can have a profound impact on women. In a number of studies, women have reported that their symptoms have decreased after they received a diagnosis. The fact that they had an external explanation for their struggles allowed them to stop blaming themselves and begin looking at their own problems as something they could control. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is not easy however the reward is fantastic. Treatment of ADHD with medication and psychotherapy can improve relationships, help women succeed in school and work, and give them an improved understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls typically suffer from different symptoms of ADHD than males, which makes it more difficult to receive an assessment and treatment. It is also possible that girls are better at hiding their symptoms, which makes it more difficult to get assistance or support. It can be difficult to remember appointments or complete work at work or at school, and have problems in relationships. add adult women may be more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by intimate partners because they aren't able to acknowledge and react to their own feelings. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can make a big difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a delayed or missed diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on a woman's social-emotional well-being and ability to form and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-esteem and confidence in her abilities to control. Many of the women who participated in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving the diagnosis and treatment they needed for their ADHD. This is particularly important due to the fact that research has shown women who are not diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem levels and are less likely to seek treatment than their male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their attention, impulsivity and problems with organization on personal or social factors than on their ADHD. In addition to medication, there are various treatment options available for adults with ADHD. The most commonly used are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT helps people recognize and overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT teaches skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy that combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies to increase concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment can be delivered in individual or group sessions and is geared to adults with ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word “women”, is used to describe 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” and includes all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD are afflicted with a sense of anxiety or a lack of understanding about their symptoms. Women are often misdiagnosed or not properly diagnosed because of the manner in which ADHD manifests in women. This is due to pressures from society and hormonal changes as well as other factors. This can lead to inappropriate or ineffective treatment and the increased likelihood of developing mood-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. In contrast to men, who might experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often, women are often better at masking their symptoms at work or school. They can learn to work late into the night, and utilize productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. These coping mechanisms can have a negative effect on self-esteem, and ultimately the quality of your life. The diagnostic process for women suffering from ADHD can be confusing and frustrating. The standard ADHD criteria were created for men and might not be able to capture all the symptoms that women experience. Many women with undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions, like anxiety or depression. Clara was not different. Clara was intelligent committed, hardworking and dedicated to her job. 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 sufficient. Her confidence shattered was a result of undiagnosed ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD it was a moment of revelation. Clara finally understood that her struggles weren't her own personal failings. She was able to stop seeing them as a sign of lazyness and start to look at her ADHD as a thread that can be weaved into a meaningful professional and personal life. As women's ADHD is more well-known and recognized, it will become more important to include women in research and treatment initiatives. This is especially true in the area of specific treatment for sex, as new research focuses on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and identifying a medications that work well for women. It is hoped that this will lead to a better treatment and diagnosis for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.