Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more often than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized as they grow older.
As girls and women develop into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as meal 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's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough to seek help or may think their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD or are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and can face challenges 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 also have strategies to cope with their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as often. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. There are also co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they might find it hard to control their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with others. They may miss social events or fail to show up for appointments and can't read body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They may even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and help them accept themselves more. adhd in older women can also assist to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as managing finances and keeping your home in order 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 might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and 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 men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy actions like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. But they can also be unhealthy like excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women with ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoiding school, work or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and dependence on others that's hard to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with a partner. This can help them to identify their struggles and create more positive internal dialogues. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and look after their children.