Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty in social relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects both men and boys more often than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As women and girls grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. adhd in women checklist may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormone changes during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention in classes, and having trouble with daily routines, such as meal 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 essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to think about whether anxiety or depression are contributing to their difficulties.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues like anxiety or chronic stress.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by teachers, family or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can have issues 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 also have strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as often. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of years.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to control their emotions. This is often due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with other people. They might not attend social events, fail to turn up for appointments and can't discern body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They may even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
For these reasons, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action immediately. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It also allows to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. They may also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood 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 can result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. The medications regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We employ the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. This is to ensure the use of a more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. 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 sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. There are also signs that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. They can also be harmful like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and they could suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. This can lead to an addiction and reliance that is hard to break.
In adolescence, girls and women with ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy either on their own or in a group. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services may include coaching to teach parenting skills and 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.