Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage 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 frequently than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious and having difficulty paying attention in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It's important that people with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues in social interactions and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can face 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Additionally, they may suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their life including anxiety and depression. For instance, they might find it hard to control their emotions, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to talk about their problems and seek assistance. This could lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They may miss social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and act as soon as you can. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It also allows them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and cause frustration and low confidence. They may also make it harder to handle the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping your 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 create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases 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, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for readers. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people assigned 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, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. However, they can also be unhealthy like excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women with ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due to insanity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. adhd in adult women are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also receive therapy, individually or in partnership. This can help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogs. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and care for their children.