Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause various issues for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle with peer relationships or experience depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more often than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people get older. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned when they reach adulthood.
As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their troubles.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls are prone to cover up their symptoms using strategies for coping however, these strategies often fail. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines, such as laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways girls and women suffer from ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other conditions. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues with relationships and social interaction. It's also normal for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their issues are serious enough to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood 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. treatment for adhd in women may also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of time.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. For inattentive add in women , they can have trouble controlling their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these issues result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their issues and seek help. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or communicate with others. They may miss social events or fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this could be a "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and result in frustration and low confidence. They may also make it difficult to cope with the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping your home organized and 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD in women and girls. Medications control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. This article applies to all people who were assigned males at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. They may also have signs that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy actions like making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. But they can also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms like depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This can be caused by the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, take care of their responsibilities at home and look after their children.