Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than women and girls however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women grow into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances or keeping the house 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.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. In addition, hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines like 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 various ways women and girls present with ADHD and to determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and difficulties in social interactions and relationships. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
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 think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In add in women test and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can be faced with challenges when it does happen. 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. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationship problems. This means it can be difficult to talk about their issues and seek assistance. This can result in delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They may miss social events and fail to show up for appointments and can't 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.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It also allows to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance. They can lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it harder to cope with the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping the 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 result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. Medicines control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear language across our content, and to avoid confusion for readers. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. But they could also be harmful like excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. That can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This is due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or the inability to use contraception. adhd in women signs are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. This can help them learn to identify their struggles and create more positive internal conversations. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services can include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.