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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Girls and women often face a variety of issues when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety. They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Symptoms Although research has proven that ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that people with ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or abandoned as they grow older. As women and girls develop into adults, they often continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles. Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women are more likely to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines such as 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 different ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties. It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. For example, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and difficulty with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues like tics or chronic stress. Many girls and women with ADHD aren't diagnosed because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are treated for ADHD, or they do not receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, and they can be faced with challenges when it does happen. 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, allowing them to be less visible. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of years. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Many of these conditions may lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. This means it is often difficult for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment. It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with other people. They might miss social engagements, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to read body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may also be inclined to go off on tangents when they're talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them. It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as you can. For women, this may be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist women to focus on their strength and take steps to improve life management skills. This can be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment As girls and women grow into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands like managing finances, 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 can lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being judged by society. There are add in adult women for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be beneficial for certain people. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders. Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial. Therapy is also a crucial part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the words “girls” and “women” to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. This article is applicable to all people who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website. Support Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to identify. navigate here might also exhibit symptoms that are not apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who typically develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They can also be unhealthy like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress. Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break. Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. This will help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal conversations. This can also aid in improving their relationships. Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home, and care for children.