Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle in social relationships or experience anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys at a higher rate than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. This is the reason it's crucial that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved when they reach the age of adulthood.
As girls and women develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their troubles.
ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines, such as scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. 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 many ways women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other issues. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that 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 are treated for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are having problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may face challenges if it is recognized. 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 cope with 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 more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their life like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. This means it is often difficult for them to open up about their challenges and seek help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with other people. They might not attend social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to read body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They may even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as you can. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. adhd in adult women treatment 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 be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping your 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 regarding the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. Medicines control brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily calendar. They can also be harmful like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This is due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with partners. adhd in young women can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching for parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.