Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle 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 difficult to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects both men and boys more frequently than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. This is why it's critical that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned when they reach the age of adulthood.
As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness unlike other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines, such as food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interactions. It is also common for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think that their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach 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 have issues if 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 often. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This could lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. adhd in women test may miss social events, not show up for appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They could even wander off on tangents when talking which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It also allows them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to deal with 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 can lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medication, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost 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.
Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to ensure the use of a more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for our readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. 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. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls who suffer from ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist 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 as well as women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy either on their own or in a partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will help them improve their relationships.
Support services could include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, take care of their household responsibilities, and take care of their children.