Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances, keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
adhd in older women -deficit ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness, having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty in daily routines such as 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 is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also face challenges if it is discovered. 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 may also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as often. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their life like anxiety and depression. For instance, they might struggle to manage their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
A lot of these issues could result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. This means it isn't easy to talk about their struggles and seek assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with others. They may miss social events, not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They could even go off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow them.
In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.
Treatment
As girls and women grow into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to cope with adult demands, like managing finances, keeping a home in order 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, in turn, can create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all those who were male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. adhd in older women recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that are not evident to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that help them feel normal and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders for phone calls. However, they could also be harmful like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges women and girls with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoiding school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that is hard to break.
In adolescence, girls and women with ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with a partner. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching for parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.