Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, experience difficulties with peer relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they often remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning, or laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles.
It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare provider. They can assess their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not believe that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting 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 50s, and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives like anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for help. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with others. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations and make it difficult for others to follow them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as fast as you can. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands, like managing finances, keeping your home in order, 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 create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial to 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) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex 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 symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
women and adhd is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. women and adhd with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, and they could suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school, work or social activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents for help with daily tasks. That can create an environment of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services can also include specialized programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, handle their household responsibilities, and take care of their children.