Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unable at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also have a better chance of creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. This is why it's vital that people with ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved as they grow older.
As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often backfire. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention 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 that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They might not think their problems are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may be faced with 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 may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less visible. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. Moreover, they can suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives like anxiety and depression. adhd in older women may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This could delay the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as fast as possible. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping your 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 stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by the society.
There are women and adhd for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your physician to treat related issues such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. adhd in older women that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, and not to a person's gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear language across our content, and to avoid confusion for readers. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is crucial for women who typically come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. But they can also be unhealthy such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women who suffer from ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents to help with daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent years. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexual activities that are not desired, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may also include specialized programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs and manage their home responsibilities and take care of children.