Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or ostracized when they reach the age of adulthood.
As girls and women grow into adults, they typically remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their issues.
ADHD is a chronic illness unlike other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling 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 different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their problems.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress.
Many women and girls who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their families, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help or may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD, or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life 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 also have strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may go unnoticed for years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. Furthermore, they could suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their life, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can find it hard to control their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. It is often difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can result in delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with others. They may miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.
It's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It also allows them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They may also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adult life including 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 lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. The medications regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender that was established at birth, not to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all those who were assigned male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who typically develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. But add and adhd in women could also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms like depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women with ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek therapy on their own or in a group. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can also help them improve their relationships.
Home may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and take care of their children.