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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women with undiagnosed ADHD often experience low self-esteem. They struggle to meet social expectations and internalize their frustration. They can also suffer from emotional stress, such as rejection sensitivity. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy. This makes them more difficult to diagnose. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms as they tend to cover them up. This could lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and incorrect treatment could cause more issues than it solves. Many women have difficulties getting diagnosed, especially when they are adults. This could be due to the fact that the criteria for diagnosing were formulated based on research done with males. Some experts are working to improve these criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms in women are often very similar to those of males. For example, many people suffering from ADHD struggle with concentration or listening. They might lose important items or misplace items. They may spend hours organizing their home or work space, but they aren't able to keep up. They often get distracted easily by noise or other activities that are happening around them. People with ADHD are prone to having trouble sleeping and may be worried over their health and the safety of others. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in all aspects of their lives. They may have difficulty at the workplace or at school and have issues with their friendships and romantic relationships. They might be afflicted with low self-esteem and anxiety, so they may resort to unhealthy strategies for coping such as alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can heighten frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. Teachers and coaches might criticize them or be treated unfairly at work. Being diagnosed with ADHD can make it difficult to focus on work and meet deadlines. Over time many people who were not diagnosed with ADHD have developed coping strategies. They might work until the early hours of the morning to complete their workload or conceal from their loved ones their struggles. When they discover that their struggles are the result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then learn how to overcome their difficulties and utilize their strengths (like creativity and high levels of energy) to their advantage. Undiagnosed ADHD could affect a person’s career, relationships, and life. It can lead to financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Some people with undiagnosed ADHD develop a dependence on stimulants, like cocaine and amphetamines. This can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Many women with ADHD are not diagnosed because the symptoms are more difficult to detect in women than they are in men. This could be due the fact that women have more trouble telling health care professionals about their struggles, and are more likely to use strategies to disguise their ADHD symptoms. These strategies can include changing their behaviour, for instance, working longer hours at work or school to help compensate for their lack of focus, or employing productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on track with their tasks. These strategies for coping might be effective in the short term however they are usually 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 might have ADHD. Some symptoms may be more severe due to hormonal changes, such as menstrual or pregnancy. This can lead to women being viewed as moody and overly emotional. This can further increase the angst of these women. The most frequently symptoms that are not diagnosed as ADHD in women are inattention, forgetfulness, impulsivity and a tendency to jump from one task to another and having difficulty maintaining relationships. Women with undiagnosed ADHD are also more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, like anxiety and depression. These symptoms could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and may result in incorrect diagnosis and treatment. The common symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can make it difficult to determine the condition. The signs of anxiety include feeling of agitation, trouble concentration and a constant feeling that something is wrong. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention that are characteristic of ADHD. For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD, receiving a professional diagnosis can be a game changer. In several studies, women reported that their symptoms decreased when they received an official diagnosis. They stopped blaming their own problems and began to look at their problems as something they could control. It can take time to diagnose ADHD, but it is worth the long wait. The treatment of ADHD with therapy and medication can improve relationships, set women up for success at work and at school and help them gain greater insight into themselves. Treatment Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms as do males. This can make it more difficult to diagnose and treat. They may also be better at masking their symptoms, which makes it harder to seek help or assistance. It is often difficult to remember appointments and complete assignments at school or work and also have issues in relationships. They could be more prone to be pressured into unwanted sexual conduct or to be victims of abuse by intimate partners because they're unable to acknowledge and react to their own emotions. 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 as well as her ability to build and keep relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and feeling of control. adult add women have found that many women reported feeling happier and more comfortable with themselves after receiving a diagnosis for ADHD and receiving treatment. This is especially 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 male counterparts. They are also more likely to blame their problems with impulsivity, attention, and organization on their own or social factors rather than on their ADHD. Aside from medications, there is various treatment options for adults with ADHD. The most common are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. CBT assists people in identifying and alter negative attitudes and behaviors, whereas DBT helps people develop skills to increase mindfulness and self-acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies with training in strategies for increasing concentration and focus, is another option. This treatment is available in individual or group sessions and 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 affirmed gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at birth as “men” which includes all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD are in a state of confusion or fearful of 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, misunderstood, or not diagnosed. This can result in inappropriate or ineffective treatment, and the increased likelihood 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 learn to work late into the night, and make use of productivity apps to mask their lack of attention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take their negative effects on self-esteem and eventually affect the quality of life. The diagnostic process for women suffering from ADHD can be difficult and confusing. The standard ADHD criteria were created for men and may not capture all the symptoms that women suffer from. Many women who suffer from undiagnosed ADHD have been misdiagnosed as having other conditions such as depression or anxiety. Clara was not an exception. She was smart, hardworking, and dedicated to her career. Yet she struggled to meet deadlines and was overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her failings were her fault and she wasn't adequate enough. Her shattered self-confidence was the result of an undiagnosed ADHD. When she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, it was a moment of revelation. Clara realized that her struggles were not a result of personal failures. She could stop viewing them as signs of laziness and start to see her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into a meaningful professional and personal life. As the understanding of the different ways in the ways ADHD manifests in women grows, the need to promote inclusion within treatments and research will become more important. This is especially relevant in the field of specific treatment for sex, as new research focuses on understanding the role gender plays in the disorder and developing medications that work well for women. This will hopefully lead to better diagnosis and treatment of women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD.