Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for women and girls. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle with peer relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also have a better chance of developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles.
ADHD is a chronic condition unlike other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with methods of coping, but these often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines, such as laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the different ways girls and women present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as issues in social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as anxiety or chronic stress.
Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
navigate here are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, and they can have issues 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 coping strategies that mask their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as often. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For example, they can struggle to manage their emotions, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. This means it is often difficult for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women focus on their strengths and take steps to improve life management abilities. This can positively impact their professional, personal and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands, such as managing finances and 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. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first option is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. In addition, a mix of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression.
In addition to medications lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an important element of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to all people who were assigned male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They could also be harmful, such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges women and girls who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This could lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent period. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be forced 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 manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also get therapy either on their own or in partnership. click the up coming post can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships.
Support services can also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.