Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also have a better chance of developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As girls and women develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often backfire. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines, such as meal planning, 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 women and girls can present with ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms, medical history and rule out other illnesses. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, and they can face 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 develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms and make them less visible. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the symptoms. Furthermore, they could suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and ask for help. adhd in adult women test can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help women to focus on their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as 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 could create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as 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.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear language across our content, and to make it easier for readers. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
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 women and girls tend to hide symptoms, making it harder for doctors to determine. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping strategies may include healthy actions such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. adhd in adult women test can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem and depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also get therapy on their own or in a group. This can help them learn to understand their challenges and create more positive internal dialogs. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services can include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs and manage their home responsibilities, and care for children.