Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel unable at work, have difficulty with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or abandoned as they grow older.
As girls and women grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health because they blame themselves for their troubles.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often fail to work. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like 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 is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues like depression or anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also common for people with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s, and are having difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and can face 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 can develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less noticed. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
adhd in women signs are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills, such as depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This is often due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy to talk about their struggles and seek assistance. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They might miss social events, not attend appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations and make it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as possible. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also help women to recognize their strength and make changes to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult to cope with adult demands like managing finances, maintaining a clean home 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 can result in gender stereotypes about the disorder. Females and females might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms to avoid being judged by society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for certain individuals. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety disorders.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is more consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article is applicable to all people who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to spot. There are also signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a schedule for the day. They could also be harmful, such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in the adolescent years. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with partners. This can help them learn to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogues. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.