Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in relationships with peers or experience anxiety and depression.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys more frequently than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people age. It is crucial that people with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulty paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like meal planning, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their problems.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD 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 experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can face challenges when it does occur. 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 may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less noticed. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of time.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to recognize. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
Many of these issues result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it is often difficult for them to speak up about their struggles and seek assistance. This can delay the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may even be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as you can. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It also allows them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances, keeping a home in order 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can lead to women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to address related conditions like depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
signs of add in adult women is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to the person's gender identity. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to make it easier for readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female 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 conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. They also might have symptoms that aren't apparent to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who typically develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities such as making daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance 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 women and girls with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with their daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and are at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also get therapy on their own or in a partnership. This will help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal dialogues. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and take care of their children.