Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unable at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or abandoned as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles.
In contrast to other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during 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 important for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like chronic stress or tics.
adhd in women adults and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think that their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are having problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can be faced with challenges when it does occur. 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, allowing them to be less visible. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. It is often difficult for these people to discuss their problems and ask for help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with other people. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may even wander off on tangents while talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their difficulties and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping the home tidy 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 can result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. To make our content more uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article applies to all people who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender 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 have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. There are also signs that are not apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. However, they could also be harmful like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and may 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 or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can lead to a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. This will help them to recognize their issues and create more positive internal dialogs. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. conversational tone can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and take care of their children.