Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty with peer relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys more frequently than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is why it's critical that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or unloved when they reach the age of adulthood.
As inattentive add in women and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. treatment for adhd in women may struggle with managing finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women are more likely to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as food planning, scheduling, or 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 present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing 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 can develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity could go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their life like depression and anxiety. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these conditions may lead to low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can cause delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with other people. They may miss social events and fail to show up for appointments and can't read body language or recognize other people's nonverbal signals. They could even wander off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead.
In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also aid women focus on their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands like managing finances and 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your physician to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an essential part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, not to the person's gender identity. This is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to avoid confusion for readers. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our content.
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 women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who often develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy actions like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a failure to use contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy on their own or in a partnership. This can help them learn to understand their challenges and create more positive internal dialogues. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities, and care for children.