Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized when they reach adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines such as food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can assess their symptoms, medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also common for people with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think that their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can be faced with challenges when it does happen. For one thing, girls may not have the same hyperactive/impulsive symptoms as boys -- and this can make them less likely to be recognised by teachers and parents, who are more accustomed to seeing those signs in male children. Girls may also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to recognize. Additionally, they may have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their lives like depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This is often because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions can result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it is often difficult to talk about their issues and seek help. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They might not attend social events and fail to show up for appointments and can't detect body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They may even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
It's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women focus on their strengths and take steps to improve life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances and keeping a home in order, or maintaining healthy relationships.
Women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than boys and men, partly because hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more commonly associated with males. This can lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by the society.
There are click here for ADHD in girls and women. The medications regulate brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent terms across our content and to make it easier for readers. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who often come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. They could also be harmful, like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to being unable to attend school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This can result in an environment of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy, individually or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can also help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.