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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD typically have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet societal expectations, and often internalize their discontent. They may also experience emotional distress, including the sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage dangerous behavior. ADHD symptoms can also change with hormonal changes like menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. This makes it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD. Signs and symptoms Women may have difficulty identifying their ADHD symptoms, since they are often masked. This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and a misguided treatment could cause more issues than they resolve. Women often report difficulties in getting diagnosed especially as adults. This could be due to the fact that diagnostic criteria were developed based on studies conducted on males. Some experts are working to improve these criteria. Signs of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be very similar to those for men. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble concentrating and listening. They may forget important tasks or misplace things. They can spend hours organizing their home or work space, but fail to keep up. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People with ADHD might have trouble relaxing and are often anxious about their own or others. When girls and women experience symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD, it can affect every aspect of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or at work as well as having issues with their relationships with their partners and friends. They might be struggling with self-esteem or anxiety, and may use unhealthy coping strategies such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can increase frustration and confusion in relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Teachers and coaches might criticize them or be treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD come up with strategies for coping over time. They might work until the early hours of the morning to keep up with their workload or conceal from their loved ones their struggles. When they realize that their challenges are because of ADHD, it is like an epiphany. They will then be able to understand how to overcome their obstacles and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on the person's career, life and relationships. It can lead to social isolation, financial instability and depression. People who are not diagnosed with ADHD develop an addiction to stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Women suffering 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 resort to coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies can require changing their behaviour, for instance, working long hours at school or at work to compensate for their lack of focus or employing productivity tools to stay organized and on task with tasks. These coping strategies might work for a short duration, but they are exhausting and do not last long. Many people are unaware of the fact that women they know might be suffering from ADHD because of gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may also be caused by hormonal changes, like those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This could result in women being viewed as being moody and emotional. adhd in women uk can further increase the angst of these women. The most commonly symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD among women are inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity and an ability to switch between tasks and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions may manifest symptoms that are similar to ADHD and could lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment. The overlapping symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to determine the condition. Anxiety symptoms include restlessness trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD. A diagnosis by a doctor of undiagnosed ADHD could be life-changing for women. In several studies, women reported that their symptoms diminished when they received an expert diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their own difficulties and began to view their problems as something they could control. Finding a diagnosis of ADHD is a long process, but the payoff is great. The treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school, and provide them with an understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms as do men. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat. They also may be better in hiding their symptoms, which makes it harder to find help or support. It is often difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at work or school, and have problems in relationships. They may also be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired or being the victim of intimate partner violence due to their difficulty recognizing and resolving their own emotions. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatments can make a difference for these women. A study in 2020 found that a late or missed diagnosis can have lasting negative effects on women's emotional and social well-being as well as her ability to build and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. The research found that a lot of women reported feeling happier and more confident in themselves after receiving a diagnosis of ADHD and receiving treatment. It is important to remember that research has proven that women who have not been 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 attention, impulsivity, and organization on societal or personal factors rather than on their ADHD. There are a myriad of options for treating adults suffering from ADHD, aside from medication. The most popular are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT helps identify and change negative thoughts, while DBT teaches mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive psychotherapy, which combines aspects of these therapies with training in strategies to improve concentration and focus is a different alternative. This treatment can be delivered in individual or group sessions and is targeted towards adults suffering from ADHD. Note: In this article, the term “women” is used to refer to those who were assigned female at birth regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to those assigned male at birth as “men” to include people of all gender identities. Support Many people who suffer from ADHD feel a sense of guilt or confusion over their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes dramatically affect how ADHD presents in women, it's common for women to be overlooked or not diagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment, and an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders like depression and anxiety. Contrary to men, who can suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more often, women are often better at masking their symptoms at work or at school. They can become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. The problem is that 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. The standard ADHD criteria were created for men and might not capture all the symptoms women suffer from. This is why many women who have undiagnosed ADHD are misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Clara was no different. She was smart, hardworking, and committed to her work. However, she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She saw her mistakes as her own fault and felt like she was not good enough. Her confidence shattered was a knock-on effect of a nebulous ADHD. It was a shock when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her issues were not the result of her own faults. She could no longer view them as evidence of laziness and look at her ADHD as a thread that can be woven into a meaningful professional and personal life. As awareness of the differences in how ADHD manifests in women, the need to promote inclusion in research and treatment programs will become increasingly crucial. This is particularly important in the area of specific treatments for sex, as new research is geared towards understanding the impact of gender on the disorder and developing treatments that are effective for women. It is hoped that this will lead to a better treatment and diagnosis for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.