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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD frequently have low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations, and often internalize their discontent. They can also suffer from emotional distress including sensitivity to rejection. They are more likely to engage risky behavior. ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy. This makes it harder to identify. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms, since they are often hidden. adhd test for women could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and the wrong treatment can cause further problems. Many women report having difficulties getting diagnosed particularly when they are adults. This can be because the diagnostic criteria are based on studies conducted by males. Some experts are working on improving these criteria. Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD for women may be quite similar to symptoms for men. Many people suffering from ADHD have difficulty concentrating and listening. They might forget important tasks or lose things. They could spend a lot of time organizing their office or home space, but do not manage to keep up with it. They are easily distracted by sounds or other activities. People with ADHD may have difficulty settling down and worry excessively about their own or others. If women and girls experience symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD, it can affect every aspect of their lives. They may have difficulty at school or at work, and also have difficulties with their relationships with friends and romantic relationships. They might suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety and turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD could result in frustration and miscommunications in relationships between family, friends and coworkers. Teachers and coaches might criticize them or be treated unfairly at work. Having ADHD can make it harder to concentrate on tasks and meet deadlines. Over the years many people who were not diagnosed with ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They might be up late at night to keep up with their work schedule or hide their problems from family members. It's like turning on a lightbulb when they realize that their issues are due to ADHD. They can then understand how to overcome their difficulties and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high energy levels) to their advantage. Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on a person's life, career, and relationships. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation and even depression. Certain people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. This can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women with ADHD go undiagnosed because symptoms are harder to recognize in women than they are in males. This could be due to the fact that women are more reluctant to inform health professionals what they're going through and more likely to resort methods of coping to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies for coping could require changing their behaviour, for instance, working longer hours at work or school to help compensate for their inability to focus, or employing productivity tools to stay on top of and on task with tasks. These strategies for coping may work in the short run however they are usually exhausting and not sustainable. Many people are unaware of the fact that a woman they know could have ADHD due to gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may also be exacerbated by hormonal changes, like those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation or menopausal. This can cause women to be viewed as moody or overly emotional, which may increase their frustration. The most frequently undiagnosed symptoms of ADHD in women are memory loss, trouble concentrating, impulsivity and an ability to switch from one task to the next and have difficulty keeping relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to have coexisting conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions may be confused with those of ADHD and could result in an incorrect diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to diagnose anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. The signs of anxiety include agitation, difficulty in concentrating and a constant feeling that something is not right. Anxiety disorders don't have the impulsivity or lack of attention that is characteristic of ADHD. For women who are not diagnosed with ADHD getting an assessment from a professional can be a game-changer. In several studies, patients reported that their symptoms diminished after they received a professional diagnosis. They stopped blaming themselves for their struggles and began to see their problems as something they could manage. Finding a diagnosis of ADHD takes time, but the payoff is amazing. The treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and in school and give them greater insight into 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. It is also possible that girls are more adept in hiding their symptoms, making it more difficult to get assistance or support. This can include: having trouble remembering appointments, failing to finish tasks at school or at work, and having trouble in relationships. They could also be at a higher risk of being pushed to engage in sexually inappropriate activities or being the victim of intimate partner violence, because they have trouble recognizing and responding to their own emotions. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can be beneficial for these women. A study from 2020 showed that a late or missed diagnosis can have lasting negative effects on women's emotional and social well-being and ability to establish and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. Many women in these studies reported feeling a sense of relief and a sense of self-confidence that increased after receiving a diagnosis and treatment for their ADHD. This is particularly important as research has shown that women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have lower self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than their male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their difficulties with impulsivity, attention, and organization on their own or social factors instead of on their ADHD. There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD, aside from medication. The most commonly used are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT helps identify and change negative thoughts, whereas DBT teaches mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which blends elements of these therapies with training in strategies to increase focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is available in either individual or group sessions, and is designed for adults suffering from ADHD. Note: This article uses the term “women” to refer to women who are assigned female at birth, regardless of their affirmed gender identity. Also, it refers to those who are male at the time of birth as “men”, to include all gender identities. Support Many people with ADHD feel a sense of guilt or confusion over their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly affect how ADHD manifests in women, it's common for women to be overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment and an increased risk of developing mood-related disorders like anxiety and depression. In contrast to men, who might experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more frequently, women are often better at masking their symptoms at work or school. They can learn to work late into the night, and use productivity apps to disguise their inattention. The problem is, these coping mechanisms take their negative effects on self-esteem and eventually impact the quality of life. Even when women who suffer from ADHD seek assistance, the process of diagnosing can be confusing and frustrating. The traditional ADHD criteria were designed for males and may not be able to capture all the symptoms that women suffer from. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed with other conditions, like depression or anxiety. Clara was no different. Clara was smart committed, hardworking and dedicated to her job. She was unable to meet her deadlines and felt overwhelmed with the demands of her job. She saw her mistakes as her own fault and believed that she was not adequate enough. Her shattered confidence was a result of undiagnosed ADHD. It was a moment of revelation when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her issues were not due to her personal failings. She was able to stop viewing them as signs laziness, and begin to consider her ADHD thread as a thread which can be tied into an effective professional and personal life. As women's ADHD is more well-known, it will become increasingly important to include women in research and treatment initiatives. This is particularly important in the areas of sex-specific treatments, as new research is focused on understanding the impact of gender on the disorder and developing treatments that work well for women. This could help in the diagnosis and treatment for women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.