Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it harder to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their troubles.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, hormone changes during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
This Webpage -type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty 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 different ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety as well as low self-esteem and issues with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They might not think their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may 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 can also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact 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 menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions may cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This could lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They might miss social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They might even go off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
For these reasons, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. It 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 women to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands like managing finances, keeping your home in order 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 gender stereotypes about the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, 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 issues which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article is applicable to all people who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities like maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. They can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can result in avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and coping techniques. They can also get therapy either on their own or in a group. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and care for their children.