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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects both men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during class or work and trouble with daily routines, such as meal planning, laundry or scheduling. 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 many ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can assess their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by their teachers, families or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also be faced with challenges if discovered. 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 can also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their issues with organization, 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 detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these conditions may cause low self-esteem or relationship problems. It is often difficult for these people to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This could lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may miss social events and fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to detect body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may also be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also aid women focus on their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands like 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 could lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your physician to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of 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 especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our content.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. adhd in adult women symptoms of coping can include healthy actions, such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can result in being unable to attend school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with partners. This can help them to identify their struggles and create more positive internal dialogs. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and 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 home responsibilities and look after their children.