Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in relationships with peers, or suffer from anxiety and depression.

They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.

Symptoms

While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men more often than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or unloved when they reach adulthood.

As girls and women develop into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles.

In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.

inattentive adhd in women-type ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty in daily routines such as food planning, scheduling or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.

It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.

Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and may 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 develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms add and adhd in women make them less noticed. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization 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 detect. There are also co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.

Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationships problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek assistance. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment.

It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with other people. They might not attend social events and fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.

It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also aid women to focus on their strength and adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can cause frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances and keeping your home in order and maintaining healthy relationships.

Women and adhd adult women treatment 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-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. Medicines control brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.

Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.

Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.

Support

Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that are not obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

This is crucial for women who typically develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated adhd assessment for adult women might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.

Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break.

As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This can be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a failure to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.

As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their add symptoms in women. They can also receive therapy on their own or in a group. This can help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal conversations. This can also aid in improving their relationships.

Support services may also include specialized programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.