Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to various issues for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic condition, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty in daily routines such as food planning, scheduling or doing laundry. 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 many ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress 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 believe that their problems are a serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In add symptoms in adult women , girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They also may have issues 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less visible. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity could go unnoticed over a period of time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may miss social events or fail to show up for appointments and can't discern body language or recognize other people's nonverbal signals. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and act as fast as you can. For women, this can be a "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to focus on their strengths and to adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause frustration and low confidence. They may also make it difficult to handle the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping a home clean and in good 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 gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.
Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is more consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to determine. They may also have symptoms that are less apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who often develop coping strategies that help them feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. They can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also become more reliant on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexually inappropriate activities and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may also 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 keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and look after their children.