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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from anxiety and depression.

They also do better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them.

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. This is the reason it's crucial that people with ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized when they reach the age of adulthood.

As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems.

Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines such as meal planning, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.

It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out other illnesses. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and issues with relationships and social interaction. It's also common for people with ADHD to suffer from other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.

Many women and girls who have 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 need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD or are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may have issues if detected. 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 visible. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity can go unnoticed for years.

Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. Furthermore, they could suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their life management skills including anxiety and depression.  inattentive add in women  may find it difficult to control their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.

A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.

It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with others. They might miss social engagements and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They might even wander off on tangents when talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them.

In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. For women, this could 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 women focus on their strengths and to take steps to improve life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as managing finances, maintaining a clean home or 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 can lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.

There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant drugs are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial.

Therapy is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for our readers. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.

Support

Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms, making it harder for doctors to identify. There are also signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is important for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions like making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. But they could also be harmful, such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, and they could suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.

The challenges women and girls with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They may also become more reliant on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can create a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent period. This is due to insanity, poor organization, or the inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.

As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy either on their own or in a partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.

Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and look after their children.