adhd in women checklist of ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle with peer relationships, or suffer from depression and anxiety.
They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Signs and symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. This is why it's critical that those suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized as they grow older.
As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems.
Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often backfire. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD can include the inability to remember things or being oblivious or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty with daily routines like 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 anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles.
It's also crucial that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and problems with relationships and social interaction. It's also normal for adults with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.
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 serious enough issue to seek help or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They also may have issues if recognized. 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 mask their symptoms which allows them to be less noticed. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may go unnoticed for years.
Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify their symptoms. There are also co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause.
A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. This means it is often difficult for them to open up about their challenges and seek assistance. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with other people. They might miss social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. add in women test might even wander off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow them.
For these reasons, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and act as soon as possible. It could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and help them accept themselves more. It can also assist women focus on their strength and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it harder to handle the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping the 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 create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society.
There are a variety of effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. Medications regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The most effective medications are stimulants. option, however non-stimulants may also be effective for some people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. This article applies to all those who were assigned males at birth, which includes transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually-exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers.
Support
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
This is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms can include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be unhealthy such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that women and girls with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to help them with their daily tasks. This could lead to a cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break.
As they grow older, girls and women with ADHD may be at greater chance of engaging in sexual activities with non-consensual partners. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with partners. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.
Support services can include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.