Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as we age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the many ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also critical that people with ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
add adult women and women with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can have issues when it does occur. 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 develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, allowing them to be less visible. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can struggle to manage their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for these people to discuss their problems and ask for help. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or communicate with others. They might miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also aid women focus on their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can make it difficult to deal with adult demands like managing finances and keeping your 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 create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for some people. In addition, a mix of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, not to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all those who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that help them feel normal and meet societal expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoiding school and work, or social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or a failure to use contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexually inappropriate activities and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy either on their own or in partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can also help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their household responsibilities, and care for their children.