Challenges of inattentive adhd in women in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.

They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.

Signs and symptoms

While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men more often than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people get older. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.

As girls and women grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, as they blame themselves for their problems.

In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by the inability to remember things or being oblivious and having difficulty paying attention in classes, and having trouble with daily routines, such as meal planning, scheduling or doing laundry. 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 determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their difficulties.

It's also critical that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health problems such as chronic stress or tics.

Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. 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 a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. In some instances women and girls with adhd in adult women treatment are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and 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 develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and make them less visible. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity could be unnoticed for a period of time.

Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they might struggle to manage their emotions, and this can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy to talk about their issues and seek help. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.

It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They may miss social events or fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to discern body language or recognize other people's nonverbal cues. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.

In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women focus on their strengths and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping the home clean and in good 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 about the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions like depression or anxiety.

Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, internet and reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are that are common among people with adhd and depression in women. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.

Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving 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. To make our content more consistent and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.

Support

Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than hyperactivity in women or impulsivity.

This masking is essential for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. However, they can also be unhealthy such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, in the know and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.

The challenges women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents for help with everyday tasks. That can create an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break.

In adolescence, girls and women with adhd adult women treatment (please click for source) are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexual activities that are not desired, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.

As adults, women who suffer from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.

Support services can include programs specifically designed for pregnant and parenting women with adhd women assessment, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, take care of their home responsibilities and look after their children.