Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause various issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also have a better chance of developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is why it's vital that those suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or unloved when they reach the age of adulthood.
As girls and women mature into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. Iam Psychiatry might not think their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
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 also have strategies to manage their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills, such as depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period 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 these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with other people. They may miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.
It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women focus on their strength and take steps to improve life management abilities. This can positively impact their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to cope with adult demands, like managing finances and 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 could lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined 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 males assigned at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality 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 males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who often develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. But they can also be unhealthy such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can lead to a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with partners. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and care for their children.