Notes

The People Closest To ADHD In Women Tell You Some Big Secrets
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, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.

They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.

Signs and symptoms

Although research shows that ADHD affects men and boys more often than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people get older. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.

As women and girls develop into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances or keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health since they blame themselves for their problems.

Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal 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, having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble with daily routines, such as meal planning, scheduling or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to think about whether the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles.

It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other issues. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues like anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as problems with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.

Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They might not think their problems are a serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may be faced with challenges 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, which can result in them not being noticed as much. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of time.

Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. There are also co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This is often because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.

A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.

Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with other people. They might miss social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up.

For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act immediately. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also aid women to recognize their strength and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article.

Treatment

As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and cause frustration and low confidence. They may also make it harder to cope with the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping the 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 can result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms to avoid being judged by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for certain people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to treat related conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.

In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.

Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to all individuals who were male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all our readers.

Support

Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This is crucial for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. adhd in women signs who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.

The challenges that women and girls with ADHD confront can result in feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents to help with daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.

In adolescence, girls and women who suffer from ADHD might be at a greater risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.

Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also receive therapy, individually or in a group. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.

Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and look after their children.


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