Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause many issues for girls and women. They may feel unable at work, struggle with peer relationships, and suffer from anxiety or depression.
They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. This is the reason it's crucial that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned as they grow older.
As girls and women develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances, keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their problems.
ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty with daily routines like food planning, scheduling or doing laundry. 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 various ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their difficulties.
It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other medical conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like chronic stress or tics.
Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and 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 develop coping strategies to disguise their symptoms which allows them to be less noticed. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity can remain unnoticed for a long time.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they might struggle to manage their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and issues with relationships. This means it is often difficult for them to speak up about their struggles and seek assistance. This can result in a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They might not attend social events and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They might even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up.
It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also assist women to recognize their strengths and to take steps to improve life management skills. This could be beneficial to their professional, personal and family 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. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands like managing finances, maintaining a clean home, 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 lead to gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful.
add symptoms in adult women is also a crucial part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. To make our content more clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all individuals who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of 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 never diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This masking is especially important for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms can include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break.
In adolescence, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This could be due impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to use contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexually inappropriate activities and are at a greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek out therapy whether on their own or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.
Support services could also include coaching for parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.