Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause various issues for girls and women. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as we age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adults, they often remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic condition, unlike some other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling or doing laundry. adhd traits in women -impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the many ways girls and women suffer from ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's important that people with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from 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 experience physical health problems such as tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by teachers, family or friends. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD, or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and may be faced with challenges when it does occur. 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as often. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives like depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This could lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with other people. They may miss social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read the non-verbal signals of others. They might even wander off on tangents while talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important that you get a proper diagnose and act as fast as you can. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It also allows to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their family, work 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 professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can 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 create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. The medications control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
In adhd in women checklist to medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to the person's gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who typically create coping mechanisms to help them feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents for help with everyday tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This could be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also get therapy either on their own or in a group. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and care for their children.