Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in relationships with peers or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it harder to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized when they reach adulthood.
As women and girls grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include inattention or forgetfulness and having difficulty paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways women and girls can present with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties in social interactions and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also 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 cope with their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. Furthermore, they could suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their moods, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They might not attend social events, fail to turn up for appointments and can't discern body language or recognize the non-verbal signals of others. They may even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they grow into 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 maintaining a clean home 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 result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatments available for ADHD in women and girls. Medications control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your physician to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and modify negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who often develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping strategies could include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's hard to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This can be caused by impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. signs of adhd in women can also seek help from a therapist, either individually or with partners. This can help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal dialogs. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include specialized programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work and household responsibilities and take care of children.