15 Things You've Never Known About ADHD In Women

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression.

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

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people age. It's important that adults with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.

As girls and women grow into adults, they typically remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.

ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other mental disorders. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in 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 is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways girls and women suffer from ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.

It is also essential that those with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress.

Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They may not believe that their problems are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they 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, resulting in them not being noticed as often. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of time.

Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives including depression and anxiety. For example, they can have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.

Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationships problems. This means it isn't easy for them to speak up about their challenges and seek assistance. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.

It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They might not attend social events or fail to show to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or recognize the non-verbal signals of others. They may also be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them.

It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as you can. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence. They may also make it harder to manage the demands of adult life including 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 gender stereotypes about the disorder. Females and females might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

In addition to medications lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial.

Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among our readers we employ this term. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our content.

Support

Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

This is crucial for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and they could have relationship issues and chronic stress.

The difficulties that women and girls with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This can result in a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that is difficult to break.

As  adhd in women  grow older, girls and women with ADHD are at a higher 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 can be at greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy either on their own or in partnership. This can help them learn to recognize their issues and build more positive internal dialogues. This will also help improve their relationships.

Support services may also include specialized programs for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and look after their children.