Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers or experience anxiety and depression.
They are also better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more often 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 adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies however, these strategies often fail. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical background to rule out other issues. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as issues with relationships and social interaction. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not think that their problems are serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can face challenges 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 also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might 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. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. full report is often due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationships problems. This means it is often difficult for them to speak up about their challenges and seek help. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. For women, this could be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it difficult to manage the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping a home organized 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 lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. The medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The first choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. To make our content more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all those who were assigned males at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. They can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, and they could be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that can be difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This could be due to insanity, poor organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with partners. This can help them to understand their challenges and build more positive internal conversations. It will also help them improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.