15 Things You've Never Known About ADHD In Women
Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys more frequently than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people get older. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances and keeping their home 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. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty 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 is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. It is also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
I Am Psychiatry are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges if recognized. 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. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Many of these conditions can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy to talk about their challenges and seek help. This can cause delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They might not attend social events, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to detect body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They could even go off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important that you get a proper diagnose and act as fast as you can. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance. They can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. Medications control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of 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 particularly helpful.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. This is to facilitate clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that aren't apparent to others, such as inattention or disorganization, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and conform to social norms. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities, such as keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they can also be unhealthy like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety over, depressed, or overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women who suffer from ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to avoiding school, work or social activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This is due to insanity, poor organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with a partner. This can help them learn to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogs. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.