15 Things You Didn't Know About ADHD In Women

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety.

They also have a better chance of developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them.

Symptoms

While research confirms ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.

As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances, keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems.

ADHD is a chronic disorder unlike other mental disorders. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines like laundry, meal planning or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the many ways that girls and women suffer from ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.

It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. They can assess their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues like anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like anxiety or chronic stress.

Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough to seek help or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, among other external factors. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may 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 may develop coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of time.

Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This is often due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.

A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It is often difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This can result in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment.

In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with other people. They might miss social gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and have difficulty reading body language. They could even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them.

In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it harder to handle the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping your home organized 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 gender stereotypes about the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society.

There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment 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 as well as reduce stress and anxiety. 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 therapy for behavior can help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the words "girls" and "women" to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To make our content more clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website.

Support

Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to go undiagnosed or receive a false diagnosis than men. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to recognize. They may also have symptoms that are less evident to others. For  adhd symptoms in adult women , inattention and disorganization, instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This is crucial for women who often develop coping strategies to feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions, such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls. They could also be harmful, like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.

Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms like depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school, work or social activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's difficult to break.

Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent years. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation.

As adults, women suffering from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy either on their own or in a group. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also help improve their relationships.

Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are expecting or parenting. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work and household responsibilities and take care of children.