Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that people with ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or abandoned when they reach the age of adulthood.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they may blame themselves for their troubles.
ADHD is a chronic condition unlike other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls are prone to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping however, these strategies often fail. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.
It's also critical that people with ADHD be evaluated by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and 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 can develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less noticed. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This is often because of hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. As a result, it can be difficult to talk about their issues and seek assistance. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with others. They might miss social gatherings, or not show up for 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.
It's important that you get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. adhd traits in women can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping the 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 can result in gender stereotypes about the disorder. Females and females might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. This is to facilitate the use of a more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. This article applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who often create coping mechanisms to help them feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions like making daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. They could also be harmful, like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can experience low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also get therapy, individually or in a group. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.