appeallathe13

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel incompetent at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from depression and anxiety. They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. Symptoms While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more often than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's important that adults with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored. As girls and women mature into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances and keeping their home clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their issues. ADHD is a chronic illness, unlike some other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often result in a negative effect. Additionally, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded, having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble with daily routines, such as food 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 various ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles. It is crucial that those with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other illnesses. Some people with ADHD also have mental health issues like depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems in social interactions and relationships. It is also common for adults with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics 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 may not believe that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or 50s, and are experiencing problems with daily life. Diagnosis Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, 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 also have coping strategies that mask their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as often. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity can be ignored for a long time. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the symptoms. adult add in women can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. Many of these conditions may cause low self-esteem or relationship issues. This means it isn't easy to talk about their challenges and seek assistance. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with others. They might miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They could even wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to follow them. In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and take action as soon as you can. For women, this may be a “lightbulb moment” that gives 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 take steps to improve life management skills. This could be beneficial to their family, work and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article. Treatment As girls and women develop into adults, untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, and cause frustration and low confidence. They can also make it more difficult to manage 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, in turn, can lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which could lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society. There are a variety of effective treatment options for ADHD for girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The first option is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants are also effective for certain people. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders. In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, are particularly beneficial. Therapy is also an important component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients recognize and alter negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving 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. This is to provide more consistent and clear terms across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website. Support Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions, such as keeping daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to being unable to attend school, work or social activities. They could also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unintentional sexual activity and are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation. Women suffering from ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to manage symptoms and techniques for coping. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. This can help them learn to identify their struggles and create more positive internal conversations. It can also help them improve their relationships. Support services can also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.