Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As girls and women develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty 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 may blame themselves for their problems.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during class or work and trouble with daily routines, such as food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. adhd in older women is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they 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 to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less visible. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to control their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. It is often difficult for these people to discuss their problems and ask for assistance. This can delay the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with other people. They might miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even go off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as you can. adhd in women treatment can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as managing finances and 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 stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by the society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however nonstimulants are also effective for some people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also a crucial part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is more clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article applies to all those who were assigned male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. They can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent years. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or an inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also receive therapy on their own or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, take care of their responsibilities at home and care for their children.