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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated adhd adult women diagnosis symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, experience difficulties with peer relationships or experience anxiety and depression.

They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it difficult to be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as we age. This is why it's vital that those suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized as they grow older.

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

Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to mask their symptoms with coping strategies, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing track of time, difficulty paying attention in classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines, such as 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 crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the different ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to consider whether anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.

It is crucial that those with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can assess their symptoms, medical history and rule out other illnesses. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.

Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to need help. Or they may think that their Adhd in Middle Aged women symptoms are a result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing problems with daily life.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until later in life and can face challenges when it does occur. 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 can also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity could go unnoticed for years.

Women are more likely to be affected by high functioning adhd in women-functioning adhd in adult women. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For instance, they might struggle to manage their moods, which 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 issues. In the end, it can be difficult for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This can result in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.

It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with other people. They may skip social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even go off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead.

In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. For women, this can be an "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It also allows to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their professional, personal 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 reach adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping your home clean and in good relationships.

Women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis of adhd in women symptoms than boys and men, partly because hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more commonly associated with males. This can result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being judged by society.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. 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 individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our content.

Support

Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that are less apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity.

This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms can include healthy things like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily calendar. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress.

The challenges women and girls who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's difficult to break.

As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD might be at a greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This could be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and may be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.

Women with adhd and depression in women who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also get therapy, individually or adhd in middle aged Women in a group. This can help them to understand their challenges and create more positive internal conversations. This can also help improve their relationships.

Support services may include programs specifically designed for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and take care of their children.