Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel incompetent at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. It is crucial that people with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As women and girls grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being forgetful or absentminded in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines such as laundry, meal planning 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 various ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's important that people with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD suffer from additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social relationships and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not think that their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also have issues if discovered. 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 cope with their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of years.
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 ability to manage their life including anxiety and depression. For instance, they might find it hard to control their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It is often difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for help. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have difficulty understanding body language. They could even wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also assist women to focus on their strengths and to take steps to improve life management skills. signs of adhd in women could have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and cause frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult to manage 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 create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This could lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all individuals who were assigned male at birth, including transgender 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 be undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have symptoms that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. They could also be harmful, like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also get therapy on their own or in partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include specialized programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and care for their children.