Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unable at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As girls and women develop into adults, they often still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances or keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping however, these strategies often fail. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by the inability to remember things or being oblivious and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulty with 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 for healthcare professionals to be aware of the various ways women and girls present with ADHD and to determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
adhd in women treatment is essential that those suffering from ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD suffer from 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 chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed 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 major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get 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 can develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. As a result, it can be difficult for them to open up about their challenges and seek help. This can cause delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They may miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may even be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it immediately. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist women to focus on their strength and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life, such as 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which could lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and help manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for 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 the person's gender-specific identity. adhd in women treatment is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear language across our content, and to avoid confusion for our readers. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a schedule for the day. However, they could also be harmful, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and they could suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women with ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is 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 insanity, poor organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are 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 techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. This can help them learn to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal conversations. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and look after their children.