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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Girls and women often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty with peer relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety. They also do better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them. Symptoms Although research has proven that ADHD affects men and boys at a higher rate than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or abandoned when they reach adulthood. As girls and women develop into adults, they often remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues. ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being forgetful or absentminded and losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like 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's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether anxiety or depression are contributing to their problems. It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For example, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like tics or chronic stress. Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not think their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities. Diagnosis Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may 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 develop coping strategies that disguise their symptoms and make them less visible. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the signs. Furthermore, they could suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their life management skills, such as anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Many of these issues cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. As a result, it is often difficult for them to speak up about their challenges and seek help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with others. They may miss social events, fail to turn up for appointments and can't read body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They could even go off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead. It's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and take action immediately. For women, this could be an “lightbulb moment” which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women focus on their strengths and take steps to improve life management skills. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it harder to handle the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping your 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 lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. try here and females may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by society. There are a variety of effective treatment options for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first option is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants are also effective for some people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships. We use the words “girls”, “women”, and “womens” to refer to the gender assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site. Support Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They may also have symptoms that are less apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping strategies that help them feel normal and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. But adhd in women can also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress. Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem and other symptoms like anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy, individually or in partnership. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This will also help improve their relationships. Support services can also include special programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their responsibilities at home and care for their children.