Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in relationships with peers or experience anxiety and depression.
They also have a better chance of creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. This is the reason it's crucial that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or unloved as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. adhd in adult women test can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include inattention or forgetfulness, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like food planning, scheduling, or laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It's 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 who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also 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 may also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be unnoticed for a period of time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. Moreover, they can have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they might find it hard to control their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these issues result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. This means it is often difficult to talk about their issues and seek assistance. This can cause delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They might miss social engagements, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or recognize other people's nonverbal cues. They might even go off on tangents during conversations, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It also allows to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it difficult to manage the demands of adult life like 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 regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. signs of add in adult women licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. This is to facilitate the use of a more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping strategies could include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings may lead to avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with a partner. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.