Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. adhd symptoms for women may feel unable at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. adhd in women 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.
ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb 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 meal planning, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether anxiety or depression are contributing to their difficulties.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and problems with social interactions and relationships. It is 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 don't receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They can 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 may also develop strategies to manage 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 be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives including anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. In the end, it is often difficult for them to speak up about their issues and seek help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with other people. They might not attend social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to read body language or recognize other people's nonverbal cues. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. The article is 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, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can 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 result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Girls and women may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by the society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and help manage symptoms. they said can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain individuals. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also an important part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To make our content more 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 people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly important for women, who often develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may experience low self-esteem or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoiding school and work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with daily tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and are at a higher risk of domestic violence and the exploitation of.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD can often benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with an individual or with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services can 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 work, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.