Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men more frequently than women and girls however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. This is why it's critical that people with ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized as they grow older.
As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping strategies that can backfire, but they often do. In adhd women uk , changes in hormones during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded, losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty 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 is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare provider. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety as well as low self-esteem and issues in social interactions and relationships. adhd symptoms in women adults 's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, 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 develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and make them less visible. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. Additionally, they may have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This is often by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for these people to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This could delay the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with other people. They might miss social engagements, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to detect body language or read the non-verbal signals of others. They may even go off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it immediately. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also assist to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls 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 lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult to manage the demands of adulthood including 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 could result in gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The first choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change 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 words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear terms across our content and to avoid confusion for readers. This article applies to all those who were male at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have symptoms that are less evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can result in an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and take care of children.