Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to various issues for women and girls. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties with peer relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. Iam Psychiatry makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men more frequently than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. It is crucial that people with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances, keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as inattention or forgetfulness and having difficulty paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty with 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 is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their problems are a serious enough to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also be faced with challenges if detected. 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.
Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills like anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. In the end, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their issues and seek assistance. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with others. They might not attend social events or fail to show to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them.
It's important to get a proper diagnosis and act as soon as you can. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It also allows to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it more difficult to handle the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping your home tidy 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 could lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your physician to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to avoid confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all those who were male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our content.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This could lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also get therapy on their own or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.