spearmargin9

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety. They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored. As girls and women mature into adulthood and become adults, they 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 take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues. Unlike some other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with strategies to cope that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being forgetful or absentminded, losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during 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 that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways that girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and think about 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. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as anxiety or chronic stress. Many girls and women with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their problems are a serious enough to seek help or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also have issues if 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 may also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as much. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may go unnoticed for years. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may be unable to control their emotions. This can be exacerbated due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause. Many of these conditions can result in a low self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They might miss social engagements, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They may even wander off on tangents when talking and make it difficult for others to follow them. In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it immediately. This could be an “lightbulb” moment for women. It can help them understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also assist women focus on their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands, such as managing finances, maintaining a clean home 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, in turn, can create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society. There are effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines regulate brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. In addition, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety. In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial. Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict 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. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent terms across our content and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website. Support Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to recognize. treatment for adhd in women may also have symptoms that are not obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This masking is important for women who typically come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. But they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress. Girls and women with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms like anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily chores. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break. Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent period. This could be due an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into sexual activities that are not desired, and may be at a higher risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse. Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving 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 with ADHD to work and household responsibilities and take care of children.