Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects men and boys more frequently than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As girls and women grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, 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 problems.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often backfire. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulty with daily routines, such as 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 is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.
Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and 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 also have coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their life like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This is often because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It can be difficult for these people to discuss their problems and seek help. This can result in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social events, not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also aid women to recognize their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping your home clean and in good 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 could lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for some people. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, rather than to a person's gender identity. This is to ensure the use of a more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization, rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms like depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can result in an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's hard to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek help from a therapist, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. high functioning adhd in women can help them to recognize their issues and develop more positive internal dialogues. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include special programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their household responsibilities, and look after their children.