Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel unable at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women mature into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In adhd symptoms in women adults , hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines, such as 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 women and girls can present with ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as issues with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health problems such as tics or chronic stress.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can 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 also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. There are also co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty 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 can result in a low self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They may miss social events and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read the non-verbal signals of others. They may also be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.
For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act immediately. For women, this could 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 assist them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and cause anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can also make it difficult to manage the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping the home clean and in good 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-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. The medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, and not to a person's gender identity. This is to facilitate clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to avoid confusion for readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. There are also signs that are not obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who often create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. adhd in adult women treatment with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges women and girls with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoiding school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily chores. That can create an environment of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and are at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with partners. This will help them to understand their challenges and build more positive internal dialogs. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.