Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel incompetent at work, have difficulty with peer relationships or experience anxiety and depression.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved when they reach the age of adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines like 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 is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. inattentive add in women can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out other illnesses. For example, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem, and difficulties with social relationships and relationships. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can also have issues if recognized. 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as often. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity can remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the signs. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. For instance, they may find it hard to control their emotions, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for these people to talk about their problems and seek assistance. This could lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They might miss social engagements or fail to show up for appointments and can't read body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They might even go off on tangents during conversations, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist women focus on their strengths and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult 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 can lead to gender stereotypes about the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. Medicines control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are 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.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. This article applies to all people who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of 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 conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who often develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions like keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they could also be harmful, such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues 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 avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This is due to insanity, poor organization, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be 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 techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include specialized programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs and manage their home responsibilities, and care for children.