Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently still struggle 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 affect their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb, losing the track of time, having trouble 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 different ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may be faced with 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 and make them less noticed. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This could lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with other people. They may skip social events, not attend appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They might even wander off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as fast as possible. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as managing finances, 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 lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Girls and women may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being judged by society.
There are a variety of effective treatments available for ADHD for girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is more consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. adhd in adult women test 's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. They may also have symptoms that are less evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy actions such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. However, they could also be harmful, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's hard to break.
As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a failure to use contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy, individually or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can 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 to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.