ADHD In Women: The Secret Life Of ADHD In Women
Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.
They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify and treat them.
Signs and symptoms
While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people get older. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored.
As girls and women grow into adults, they typically remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they may blame themselves for their issues.
In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty with daily routines, such as meal planning, scheduling or washing. 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 think about whether anxiety or depression are contributing to their difficulties.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can look at their symptoms, medical history and rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health problems such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with relationships and social interactions. It is also common for people with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.
Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They might not think their issues are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s, and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can have issues 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 may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms and make them less noticed. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time.
Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills like depression and anxiety. For instance, they might have trouble controlling their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with other people. They might not attend social events, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to read body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They may even wander off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow them.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as you can. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
As women and girls develop into adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it harder to cope with the demands of adult life like managing finances, keeping the home clean and in good 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. This can result in women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are, thankfully, effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. adhd in adult women treatment licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
In adhd women uk to medication, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To make our content more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article applies to all those who were male at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. They may also have symptoms that are less apparent to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically create coping mechanisms to make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
The difficulties that girls and women who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause avoidance of school or work, as well as social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily chores. That can create an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a lack of ability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
Women suffering from ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can also help them improve their relationships.
Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities, and care for children.