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, have difficulty with peer relationships or experience anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It is crucial that people with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As girls and women mature into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like food planning, scheduling or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their problems.
It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties in 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 who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and have major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and can have issues 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 disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less noticed. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity can remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. As a result, it is often difficult for them to speak up about their challenges and seek assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with other people. They may skip social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have difficulty understanding body language. They may also be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
For these reasons, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and take action immediately. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It also allows them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance. They can result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. add women can also make it harder to handle the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping your home tidy 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 lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being judged by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. To make our content more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all individuals who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions, such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be harmful such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy on their own or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.