Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to various issues for women and girls. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects both men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles.
ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work, and having 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's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the various ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think that their issues are serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can have issues 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 develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less well-known. 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 be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives like anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek assistance. This could lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with others. They might miss social engagements and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act as soon as you can. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands like managing finances and 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which could lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. The medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain individuals. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. adhd symptoms women , like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. There are also signs that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities like keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The difficulties that women and girls with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexually inappropriate activities and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. This will help them to understand their challenges and create more positive internal dialogs. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.