Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in social relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls are prone to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They might not think their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In women and adhd , girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can be faced with challenges 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 may develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms which allows them to be less noticed. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity could be unnoticed for a period of time.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. Moreover, they can have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may even be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands, such as managing finances, keeping a home in order 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 can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. The medications control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first option is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. In addition, a mix of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions like depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to make it easier for our readers. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned male at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms, making it harder for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women with ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with partners. This will help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal conversations. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services may include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized 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 take care of their children.