Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people get older. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved when they reach adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their problems.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling, or laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. add symptoms in women is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health problems such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. 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 experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach 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 to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives including depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. It is often difficult for these people to discuss their problems and ask for assistance. This could delay the diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with others. They might miss social engagements or fail to show up for appointments and can't read body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may even wander off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. For women, this can be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also help women to recognize their strength and take steps to improve life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They may also make it difficult to manage the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping a 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which could lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatments available for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your physician to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. They may also have signs that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities, such as making daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. That can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and dependence on others that's difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to make use of 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 suffering from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy, individually or in a group. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services could 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 maintain their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and look after their children.