Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles.
ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. 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 different ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It is also essential that those with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and difficulties in social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, and they can have issues when it does happen. 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms and make them less well-known. This means that their problems with organisation, concentration and impulsivity can remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They might miss social events, not attend appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to recognize their strength and make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult to handle the demands of adulthood including managing finances, keeping a 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. Medicines control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. There are also signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who often develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. They could also be harmful, like binge-eating or drug abuse. related internet page with untreated ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem and other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or a failure to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of.
As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, take care of their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.