Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As girls and women develop into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines, such as meal planning, laundry or scheduling. 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 many ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It's also critical that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical background to rule out other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can also face challenges if it is 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 coping strategies that mask their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify their symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their life including anxiety and depression. For example, they can have trouble controlling their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This could lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social events, not attend appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even go off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult to cope with adult demands like managing finances, maintaining a clean home 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 can result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to facilitate clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and they could have relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoidance of school and work, or social activities. adhd symptoms in women may also be more reliant on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This can result in an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that's hard to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This could be due to insanity, poor organization, or a failure to use contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at a greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD can often benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy on their own or in partnership. This will help them to identify their struggles and create more positive internal dialogues. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.