Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls are often faced with a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel inadequate 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.
Signs and symptoms
Although research shows that ADHD affects boys and men more often than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's important that adults with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention in class, and having difficulties with daily routines like food planning, scheduling, or laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are contributing to their problems.
It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare provider. They can look at their symptoms, medical history and rule out other conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to need help. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may be faced with challenges if recognized. 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 develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms and make them less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may find it hard to control their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal.
Many of these conditions may lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and ask for help. This could lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They might not attend social events or fail to show up for appointments and can't detect body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to focus on their strength and take steps to improve life management skills. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it harder to handle the demands of adult life, such as 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 result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your healthcare professional to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.
We use the words "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to the person's gender identity. To make our content more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. adhd women uk applies to all people who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who often develop coping mechanisms that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they could also be harmful such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoiding school and work, or social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents for help with daily 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 activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This is due to insanity, poor organization, or the inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.
Support services may also include special programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and care for their children.