Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Although research has proven that ADHD affects both men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. It is crucial that people with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
In contrast to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping strategies, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb, losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines such as food preparation, laundry or scheduling. 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 many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their difficulties.
It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other medical conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough issue to seek help or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and have major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can have issues when it does happen. 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 cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of years.
Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their life like anxiety and depression. For adhd in women , they can find it hard to control their moods, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
A lot of these issues could lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They may also be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as you can. For women, this can be a "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help women to recognize their strengths and make changes to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive impact on their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They may also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping your home tidy 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 could create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. The medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
We employ the terms "girls", "women" and "womens" to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to make it easier for readers. This article applies to all people who were male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is essential for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy activities, such as making daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be harmful such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in being unable to attend school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assist them with daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexually inappropriate activities and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
As adults, women suffering from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services can include programs specifically designed for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. Highly recommended Site can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and look after their children.