Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unable at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or abandoned as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances or keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their troubles.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines, such as food preparation, laundry or scheduling. 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 girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. It's also common for people with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can have issues 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 can develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less visible. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by 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, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with other people. They may miss social events and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They might even wander off on tangents while talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help women to focus on their strength and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their professional, personal and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to deal with adult demands, such as managing finances, 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 result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your physician to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to facilitate clearer and more consistent terms across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that are not evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who often develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. However, they can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. That can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent period. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. signs and symptoms of adhd in women can help them learn to identify their struggles and create more positive internal dialogues. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include specialized programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.