Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties with peer relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. It is crucial that people 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 their finances and keeping their home clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during class or work and trouble with daily routines like laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the various ways girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as issues with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their problems are serious enough to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges if recognized. 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 cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their problems with organisation, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. For instance, they might have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and problems with relationships. In the end, it can be difficult to talk about their issues and seek help. This can result in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They may also be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.
In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and act as soon as possible. adhd traits in women could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It also allows them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping the home organized and 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. Medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments could be suggested by your doctor to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, and not to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to spot. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who often develop strategies for coping to feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy actions, such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. However, they could also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms like depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become more reliant on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This can be caused by the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or the inability to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services may include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.