5 Lessons You Can Learn From ADHD In Women
Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel incompetent at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as we age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or ignored.
As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning, or laundry. 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 many ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.
It is crucial that those with ADHD are assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. They can evaluate their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. adhd symptoms for women 's also common for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their problems are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They can 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 can develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms and make them less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of years.
Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This is often due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. In the end, it isn't easy for them to open up about their struggles and seek help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They may miss social events and fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to discern body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may also be prone to going off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.
It is essential to get a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as possible. For women, this may be an "lightbulb moment" that can give them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also assist women to recognize their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to deal with adult demands, like managing finances, maintaining a clean home 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 can lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being judged by the society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for certain people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
In addition to medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also an essential part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.
We use the terms "girls", "women", and "womens" to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article is applicable to all people who were assigned male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all our readers.
Support
Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't evident to others. For instance, inattention 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 strategies for coping may include healthy actions, such as keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they could also be harmful like excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break.
Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent years. This can be caused by the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or inability 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 exploitation.
As adults, women with ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy whether on their own or with partners. This can help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal dialogs. This will also help improve their relationships.
Support services may also include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and care for their children.