Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. This is why it's vital that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned when they reach adulthood.
As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances, keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning or washing. 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 that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and problems with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health problems such as chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may have issues 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 also have strategies to manage their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as often. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they may find it hard to control their moods, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and ask for help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They might miss social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even wander off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as you can. For women, this could be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it harder to manage the demands of adulthood 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 can lead to gender stereotypes about the disorder. Girls and women may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
adhd in women uk includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned 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 our readers we use this term. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who often come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. But they can also be unhealthy like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This could lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and coping techniques. They can also get therapy either on their own or in a group. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and care for their children.