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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety. They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them. Symptoms While research confirms ADHD affects both men and boys more often than girls and women but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is why it's vital that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or unloved as they grow older. As women and girls grow into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their issues. Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls are prone to cover up their symptoms using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness or being absentminded or having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble in daily routines such as meal planning, scheduling or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to determine if the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles. It is crucial that those with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare provider. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. For instance, some individuals with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like chronic stress or tics. Many women and girls with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or they may think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can also have issues if detected. 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 develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms and make them less noticed. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity could be ignored for a long time. Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Many of these conditions may result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for assistance. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with other people. They may miss social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They might even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up. It's important that you get a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as possible. For women, this may be a “lightbulb moment” that can give them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment As girls and women grow into adults untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to deal with adult demands like managing finances and keeping a home in order, or 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 could create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society. There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. The medications regulate brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders. Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful. Therapy also is part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships. We use the words “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for our readers. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our site. Support Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is especially important for women, who often develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and conform to social norms. These coping strategies may include healthy activities like keeping daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be unhealthy such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and may have relationship issues and chronic stress. The challenges that girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or somatic complaints like abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings can lead to being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for help with everyday tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break. As they grow older, girls and women who suffer from ADHD may be at greater risk for sexual activity with non-consensual partners. This is due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or a failure to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. adhd symptoms in women will also help improve their relationships. Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and manage their home responsibilities, and care for children.