Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel unable at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized when they reach the age of adulthood.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic disorder unlike other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness and having difficulty paying attention in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like food planning, scheduling 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 different ways girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues like anxiety or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may 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 develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms and make them less noticed. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. They may be unable to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions may cause low self-esteem or relationship problems. As a result, it can be difficult for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They may miss social events, not attend appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may even go off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women focus on their strength and adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. signs and symptoms of adhd in women has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands like managing finances and maintaining a clean home, 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 result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The first option is stimulant medication, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
weblink , along with medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their 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 gender at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. weblink 's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They could also be harmful, such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in being unable to attend school, work or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with daily tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that is hard to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent years. This could be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a failure to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with a partner. This can help them to recognize their issues and develop more positive internal dialogues. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, handle their household responsibilities, and look after their children.