Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel incompetent at work, experience difficulties in relationships with peers or suffer from depression and anxiety.

They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms

Although research has proven that adhd in women symptoms affects boys and men at a higher rate than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or abandoned as they grow older.

As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently 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 may blame themselves for their issues.

Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often backfire. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.

Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties 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 is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways girls and women be diagnosed with adhd symptoms in women test and also consider whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.

It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.

Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their problems are serious enough to seek help for women with adhd or may think their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with adhd traits in women only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.

Diagnosis

Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can be faced with challenges 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as often. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity could be overlooked over a number of time.

Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For example, they can struggle to manage their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.

A lot of these issues could lead to low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This could lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with other people. They might not attend social events and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal signals. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.

It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also aid women to recognize their strength and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people 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 then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.

Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. Medicines control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related issues such as anxiety or depression.

Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.

Therapy is also a crucial part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is more consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality 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 have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is essential for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities, such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.

Girls and successful women with adhd with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that can be difficult to break.

In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from adhd in women adults are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.

Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.

Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities and take care of children.