Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more often than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during class or work and trouble with daily routines such as food preparation, laundry 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 women and girls can present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It's also critical that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They might not think their problems are serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can face 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. Girls develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, allowing them to be less visible. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity can go unnoticed for years.
add in women test are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions can result in a low self-esteem and issues with relationships. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek assistance. This could lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They might not attend social events, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to detect body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They might even wander off on tangents when talking which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as fast as possible. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping a home clean and in good 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which could lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve 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. This is to provide clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to reduce confusion for our readers. 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 sex are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have signs that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions, such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This is due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or the inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, handle their household responsibilities, and take care of their children.