Could ADHD In Women Be The Key For 2024's Challenges?

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for women and girls. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience anxiety and depression.

They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms

Although research shows that ADHD affects both men and boys more often than women and girls however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people age. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized as they grow older.

As girls and women grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues.

ADHD is a chronic disorder unlike other mental disorders. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often backfire. In addition, hormone changes during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the various ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues.

It's important that people with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.  adhd symptoms for women  can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other illnesses. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as tics or chronic stress.

Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulty with daily living activities.

Diagnosis

Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can also be faced with challenges if detected. 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 frequently. This means that their issues with organisation, concentration and impulsivity may 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 may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.

A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.

In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They might miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They might even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead.

It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as possible. This could be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances, 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 can create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which can result in girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.

Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for some people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions such as 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 as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.

Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear language across our content, and to make it easier for readers. This article is applicable to all those who were male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site.

Support

Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that are less obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is especially important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and they could be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.

The challenges women and girls with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents for help with everyday tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break.

As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners.  adhd symptoms for women  could be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher 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 on their own or in a partnership. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.

Support services can also include special programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.