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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also have a better chance of developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
signs and symptoms of adhd in women and symptoms
While research confirms adhd traits in women affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they often still struggle with their adhd screening women symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles.
Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women are more likely to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention deficit in women in classes, and having trouble in daily routines such as meal planning, scheduling 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 women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some people with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and can 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 can develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity could be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can delay the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with others. They might miss social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have difficulty understanding body language. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as you can. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist women and adhd to focus on their strength and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage the demands of adulthood, such as managing finances, keeping a 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 stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by the society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for adhd inattentive type women in women and girls. The medications regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. In addition, a mix of treatments could be suggested by your physician to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. However, they can also be harmful, such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and 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 whether on their own or with an individual or with a partner. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will help them improve their relationships.
Support services could include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, take care of their home responsibilities and care for their children.