Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. It's important that adults with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but these often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as food planning, scheduling or washing. 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 be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and issues with relationships and social interaction. It is also common for people with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may face challenges 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 that mask their symptoms and make them less noticed. This means that their problems with organisation, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They might not attend social events or fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or recognize the non-verbal signals of others. They may even go off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist women to recognize their strengths and to take steps to improve life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping a home clean and in good 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 might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your physician to treat related issues such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and 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 part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and modify negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. To make our content more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among our readers we use this term. This article applies to all those who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex 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 get a misdiagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that aren't evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who typically develop coping strategies to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls. They can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help with daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This could be due to insanity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. adult add in women can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with partners. This will help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogs. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities and take care of children.