Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for women and girls. They may feel unable at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, since they blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty 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 different ways women and girls can present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are experiencing problems with daily life.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges if discovered. 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 may develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can 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 assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may miss social events, not attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
It's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act as soon as you can. This can be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also help them focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adulthood including 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and help manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants are also effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders like anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an essential part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to all those who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They also might have symptoms that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization, rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy actions like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. However, inattentive add in women can also be unhealthy such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
signs of add in adult women and women with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem or other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with a partner. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for 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, take care of their household responsibilities, and care for their children.