Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties in relationships with peers or experience depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As girls and women develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances and keeping their home clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often fail to work. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being forgetful or absentminded in the sense of losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines like food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to think about whether anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by teachers, family or friends. They may not think that their issues are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They also may 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 develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity could remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. Moreover, they can have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their lives including anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their issues and seek help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even go off on tangents during conversations, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help women focus on their strengths and to take steps to improve life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands, such as managing finances and keeping your 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 can result in gender stereotypes about the disorder. Girls and women may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by the society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for ADHD for girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for some people. In addition, a mix of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for readers. This article applies to all those who were assigned male at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They also might have symptoms that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping strategies may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. However, they can also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to being unable to attend school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with their daily tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
signs of adhd in women could include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities, and care for children.