Javeria Shahid A Quick Guide
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in attention and concentration, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. While research does suggest that men have a higher prevalence of ADHD, that is not the case. It is mostly diagnosed in men because their symptoms manifest externally in the form of hyperactivity or impulsivity. On the other hand, often women with ADHD go undiagnosed. This is because the common ADHD symptoms women exhibit are related to inattention. So their symptoms are typically internal as they are less obvious. And due to the whole gender biased involved, there is a large gap in research on how symptoms of ADHD manifest in women.
How does ADHD affect women?
Research suggests that women with ADHD often have negative self-esteem since childhood. This is due to the fact that they are simply blamed for their symptoms which are out of their control. They grow up believing that it’s their fault. Compared to adult men with ADHD, women appear to be in higher emotional and psychological suffering due to this very reason.
Some women are able to conceal their symptoms, depending on the degree of their illness, thereby avoiding embarrassment and criticism. Others who have ADHD could feel as though their lives are in complete disarray. Since women are often in charge of caring for the home and children, this may have an impact on the entire family. Incorrect coping mechanisms might negatively impact your daily life and amplify your difficulties.
Learn more about Is It Really Zoning Out Or Dissociation With ADHD?
Watch: [ADHD in Women]
Why do women go undiagnosed?
The majority of women suffering from ADHD are correctly diagnosed in their late 30s or early 40s. According to experts, there could be a number of causes for the delayed diagnosis.
- It’s possible that young girls’ ADHD symptoms and behaviors go unnoticed by parents, teachers, or pediatricians because they aren’t definitely obvious.
- There is also the issue that women’s symptoms are frequently written off as personality characteristics, such as forgetfulness, carelessness, etc.
- Additionally, it’s likely that clinicians misdiagnose adolescents and young women with ADHD in favor of other mood disorders like anxiety or depression.
ADHD symptoms in women
ADHD has a strong genetic component. If your child or sibling receives a diagnosis of ADHD, you are more likely to become aware of your own symptoms if you really have undiagnosed ADHD. Adult females may exhibit the following symptoms and indicators of ADHD:
Anxiety and Depression: Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can easily lead to anxiety and depression. You may have a history of these disorders or you may currently still be experiencing them.
Learn more about the link between ADHD and Depression.
Read: Understanding The Connection Between ADHD And Anxiety
Difficulty managing finances: You frequently overspend to make up for other issues. For instance, you might get new clothes if you don’t have a tidy outfit to go to an event. Or you buy a fancy gift to make up for forgetting someone’s birthday. Shopping relieves your stress at the moment, but later you come to regret that impulsive buying.
Difficulty with time management: You may have issues with meeting deadlines and other important appointments. At times you may even forget about important things which can lead you to more stress.
Disorganization: You might invest a lot of time, money, and effort into finding products to help you with organizing yourself, and yet you never make use of them.
Feeling overwhelmed: You feel as if you are constantly trying to avoid disaster. Nothing ever goes right and you can’t catch a break which can lead you to feel overwhelmed.
We hope you found this article useful in understanding more about the manifestation of ADHD symptoms in women. To learn more about coping with inattentive ADHD in adults, check out our other article: Here Are 6 Strategies To Cope With Inattentive ADHD In Adults
Learn more about effective time management strategies for the ADHD brain.