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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties in relationships with peers, or suffer from depression and anxiety.

They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. This is why it's critical that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or unloved when they reach adulthood.

As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.

ADHD is a chronic condition, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during class or work and trouble with daily routines like 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 is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.

It's important that people with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms, medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as problems with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics.


Many girls and women suffering from ADHD don't receive a diagnosis 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. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and have difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are often not 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 may develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms, allowing them to be less visible. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.

Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. There are also co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.

A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek assistance. This could delay the diagnosis and treatment.

Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They might not attend social events or fail to show up for appointments and can't detect body language or recognize other people's nonverbal cues. They may even wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to follow them.

It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.

Treatment

As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it harder to manage the demands of adulthood like 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. Medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, are particularly beneficial.

Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.

Support

Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is especially important for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to help them feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They could also be harmful, like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.

Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break.

In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at a greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. adhd symptoms in women test can also seek therapy on their own or in partnership. This will help them to identify their struggles and build more positive internal dialogues. This can also aid in improving their relationships.

Support services may include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities, and care for children.

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