Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more frequently than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, since they blame themselves for their troubles.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like meal planning, 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 that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways girls and women present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by teachers, family or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges 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 strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. For instance, they might have trouble controlling their moods, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. In the end, it is often difficult for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with other people. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may also be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up.
It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women to focus on their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to deal with adult demands, like managing finances and keeping a 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 lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Girls and women might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by the society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. Medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
navigate to these guys includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to make it easier for readers. This article is applicable to all people who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy actions like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. But they can also be harmful, such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to help with daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual partners in the adolescent years. This could be 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 higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with partners. This can help them learn to recognize their issues and develop more positive internal conversations. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.