Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or unloved as they grow older.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic condition, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women tend to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope, but these often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble 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 girls and women suffer from ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
signs of add in adult women is essential that those suffering from ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms, medical history and rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress.
Many women and girls who have 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 may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also face challenges if it is discovered. 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 to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It is often difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with other people. They may miss social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
For these reasons, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and act as soon as possible. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It also allows them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence. They may also make it difficult to manage the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping a 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 could lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your physician to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also a crucial component of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to make them feel comfortable and conform to social norms. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities like maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. 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 have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school, work or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This can lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in the adolescent years. This could be due to insanity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and they are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with a partner. This can help them to understand their challenges and build more positive internal dialogues. It can aid them in improving 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 keep their jobs, take care of their responsibilities at home and look after their children.