Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty with peer relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more frequently than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is why it's critical that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. add symptoms in women may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health as they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, but they often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their difficulties.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and issues with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are having difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of 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 also have strategies to cope with their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as often. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may find it hard to control their emotions, and this can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Highly recommended Site of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. In the end, it isn't easy for them to open up about their challenges 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 interacting with other people. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act as soon as you can. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to focus on their strength and take steps to improve life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult to deal 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 about the disorder, which could lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that are less obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. They could also be harmful, such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy on their own or in partnership. This can help them to recognize their issues and develop more positive internal dialogs. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching for parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.