Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety.
They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it harder to be diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects both men and boys more frequently than women and girls however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. adhd women uk can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness unlike other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb, losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during class or work and trouble 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 that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety is contributing to these difficulties.
It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues like depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal 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 may not think 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. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not 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 may also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with other people. They may skip social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have difficulty understanding body language. They might even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and take action immediately. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It also allows to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, like managing finances and keeping a home in order 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 could create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD in women and girls. The medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly 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 in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To make our content more consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers we use this term. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our content.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that are not obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently develop coping strategies to feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy actions, such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. However, they could also be harmful such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The challenges that women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to help with daily tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or the inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy either on their own or in partnership. This can help them to understand their challenges and build more positive internal dialogs. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.