Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys more often than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or abandoned when they reach adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their troubles.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. signs of add in adult women and girls are prone to mask their symptoms with coping strategies, but these often backfire. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulty with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning, or 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 various ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are contributing to their problems.
It's important that people with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the 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. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may have issues 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 may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less noticed. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It is often difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They might miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even go off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
For these reasons, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as you can. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it more 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 gender stereotypes about the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. The medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative habits of thinking 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 the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to avoid confusion for our readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
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. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. They also might have symptoms that aren't apparent to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities, such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily chores. This can lead to an environment of dependency and dependence on others that's hard to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also get therapy, individually or in a partnership. This will help them to recognize their issues and build more positive internal dialogues. It can also help them improve their relationships.
Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and manage their home responsibilities and take care of children.