Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is why it's critical that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or abandoned when they reach adulthood.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances or keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded and losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty 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 for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles.
It's also critical that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
adhd in adults women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may have issues 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 mask their symptoms which allows them to be less noticed. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. This means it isn't easy to talk about their challenges and seek help. This can result in delay in 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 gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as you can. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It also allows them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they reach adulthood. These symptoms can impact 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 including managing finances, keeping a home organized 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an essential part of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, rather than to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that are less obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who typically come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. But they can also be unhealthy, such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may have relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to being unable to attend school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and are at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy, individually or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.