Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned when they reach the age of adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include inattention or forgetfulness, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like tics or chronic stress.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also have issues if discovered. 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. For example, they can find it hard to control their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationship problems. This means it is often difficult for them to speak up about their challenges and seek help. This could lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They might miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help women to focus on their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and cause anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands, like managing finances, 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 about the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. adhd symptoms in women adults and help manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their 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 gender at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. To make our content more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because girls and women tend to hide symptoms, making it harder for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping strategies may include healthy activities, such as making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. But they can also be harmful like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can result in being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily chores. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This is due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexual activities that are not desired, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with a partner. This can help them learn to recognize their issues and create more positive internal dialogs. It will help them improve their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities and take care of children.