Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for girls and women. They may feel unable at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men more frequently than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As women and girls grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic condition and is not like other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as food planning, scheduling or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to think about whether anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They can also be faced with challenges if recognized. 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 cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This could lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They may miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.
In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and take action as soon as you can. This can be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help women to recognize their strength and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause anxiety and a lack of confidence. They may also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping the 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 lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. The medications regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. 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 people identify and change negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be 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 a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have signs that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly important for women, who often create coping mechanisms to make them feel comfortable and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. However, they could also be harmful, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can result in avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. adhd in older women can result in an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's 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 make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy either on their own or in a partnership. This will help them to recognize their issues and create more positive internal dialogs. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, take care of their home responsibilities and look after their children.