Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They are also better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than women and girls however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.
As women and girls grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances, keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other mental disorders. Girls and women are more likely to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by the inability to remember things or being oblivious and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning or washing. 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 many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their problems.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties in social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by their teachers, families or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s, and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also be faced with challenges if recognized. 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 also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their life, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their emotions, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. As a result, it isn't easy for them to speak up about their struggles and seek assistance. adhd traits in women could delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They may miss social events and fail to show up for appointments and can't detect body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. For women, this can be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping a home organized 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant drugs are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.
adhd traits in women is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to avoid confusion for readers. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break.
Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexually inappropriate activities and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships.
Support services may include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities, and care for children.