Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their lives. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in social relationships or experience anxiety and depression.
They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to recognize and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As women and girls grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health because they blame themselves for their issues.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, hormone changes during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing track of time, difficulty paying attention during class or work and trouble 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 important for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s, and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also 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 also have coping strategies that mask their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. They may find it difficult to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationships problems. It can be difficult for these people to discuss their problems and ask for assistance. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They might miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They might even wander off on tangents during conversations, making it difficult for others to follow them.
For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help women focus on their strength and take steps to improve life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to frustration and low confidence. They may also make it harder to cope with the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping a 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for some people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. This is to provide clearer and more consistent language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site.
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 girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They could also be harmful, such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.
The challenges that girls and women who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break.
In previous , girls as well as women with ADHD may be at greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also receive therapy, individually or in a group. This can help them learn to identify their struggles and create more positive internal conversations. 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 suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and take care of their children.