Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They also have a better chance of developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to identify and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people get older. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As girls and women grow into adults, they often still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines, such as meal planning, laundry or scheduling. 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 women and girls can present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other conditions. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues with social interactions and relationships. It's also normal for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. In inattentive add in women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also be faced with challenges if 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, which can result in them not being noticed as often. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, and this can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. This means it isn't easy for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This could lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have difficulty understanding 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 with them.
It's important to get a proper diagnosis and take action immediately. It could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It also allows them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of girls and women as they reach adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people 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 could result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which could lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. The medications control brain activity and 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. Additionally, a combination of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to treat related issues like depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are especially beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to facilitate the use of a more consistent and clear language across our content, and to make it easier for our readers. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have symptoms that are less obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who frequently develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a schedule for the day. However, they can also be unhealthy such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more reliant on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that's hard to break.
In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or the inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also get therapy either on their own or in a partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services can also include specialized programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.