Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also have a better chance of developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their troubles.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded and losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty 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. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and issues with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can face challenges 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 can also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity can go unnoticed for years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationships problems. As a result, it isn't easy for them to open up about their struggles and seek assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They might not attend social events or fail to show up for appointments and can't detect body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It's important that you get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also aid women to focus on their strengths and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances and maintaining a clean home 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 lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Females and females might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. In adult adhd in women , a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, not to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all people who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our content.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who typically develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions like making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women with ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This can be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD are often able to benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and look after their children.