Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel incompetent at work, have difficulty in social relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.

They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to mask their adhd assessment for adult women symptoms, making it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that people with ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or abandoned when they reach adulthood.

As girls and women grow into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated adhd in middle aged women can also impact their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their problems.

ADHD is a chronic disorder, unlike some other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with strategies to cope, but they often fail to work. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty with daily routines, such as food planning, scheduling or doing laundry. 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 many ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.

It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with relationships and social interaction. It's also normal for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.

Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for adhd assessment for women. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may 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 can also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed over a period of time.

Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect their symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.

Many of these conditions can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for help. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.

In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They may skip social events, not show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They may even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.

For these reasons, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it immediately. For women, this could be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can make it difficult to deal with adult demands, such as managing finances and keeping a home in order or 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 stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being judged by the society.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. The medications regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The first choice is stimulant medications, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain individuals. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.

Therapy is also an essential part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.

Support

Women and those 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 girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is essential for women who often come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities, such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. However, they could also be harmful, such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for adhd in women adults might feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.

The challenges women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can lead to avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into sexual activities that are not desired, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.

Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships.

Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, take care of their home responsibilities and take care of their children.