Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in social relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. It is crucial that people with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during class or work and trouble 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 crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the various ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be evaluated by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical background to rule out other issues. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues 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 with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by teachers, family or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges if detected. 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 may also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They may miss social events, not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may even wander off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they grow into adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it harder to cope with the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping a home tidy 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 can result in 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, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions like maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. But they can also be unhealthy such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
adhd symptoms in women test and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with a partner. This can help them to recognize their issues and create more positive internal dialogues. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services could include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.