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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or unloved when they reach adulthood.
As girls and women mature into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health because they blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like food preparation, laundry or scheduling. 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 girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other issues. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their problems are serious enough to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can have issues 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms and make them 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 identify the signs. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can struggle to manage their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it is often difficult for them to speak up about their issues and seek assistance. This could lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with other people. They may skip social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as you can. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also help women to focus on their strengths and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to manage the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping your home tidy and 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 result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. Medications control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to diagnose. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically create coping mechanisms to help them feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. Recommended Resource site can also seek therapy, either individually or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities and take care of children.