Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or unloved when they reach the age of adulthood.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble 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's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their problems are serious enough issue to seek help or may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also face challenges if it is recognized. 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, allowing them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. There are also co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For example, they can find it hard to control their emotions, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these issues result in a low self-esteem and issues with relationships. she said can be difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for help. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with other people. They might miss social events, not show up for appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as you can. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women to focus on their strengths and to take steps to improve life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to deal with adult demands, like managing finances, keeping your home in order 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender 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 avoid confusion for our readers. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned male at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize 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) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to recognize. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping strategies could include healthy things like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily calendar. But they can also be harmful, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoiding school, work or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at a greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. This can help them to understand their challenges and create more positive internal dialogues. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include specialized programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.