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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, struggle with peer relationships, or suffer from anxiety and depression. They are also better at developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. visit my web site makes it harder to identify and treat them. Symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. It is crucial that people with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or ignored. As girls and women develop into adults, they typically continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues. ADHD is a chronic disorder and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage 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 difficulties with daily routines like scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. 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 women and girls can present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties. It is crucial that those with ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can evaluate their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues like depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as issues in social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress. Many girls and women with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They might not think their problems are serious enough issue to seek help or may think their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they don't 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 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 may develop coping mechanisms that mask their symptoms which allows them to be less well-known. This means that their problems with organisation, concentration and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time. Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to detect. They can also have co-occurring disorders that hinder their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal. Many of these conditions can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and issues with relationships. It can be difficult for these people to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment. It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with other people. They might not attend social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or pick up on the non-verbal signals of others. They might even be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them. It is essential to get a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this may be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to recognize their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their work, family and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They may also make it harder to manage the demands of adulthood, such as managing finances, keeping your 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 lead to stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Females and females might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by society. There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed health professional. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. Your healthcare professional may also suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders. Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be particularly beneficial. Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and modify negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships. We use the words “girls”, “women”, and “womens” to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to the person's gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear terminology across our content and to make it easier for readers. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers. Support Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This masking is important for women who often come up with strategies to help them be normal and meet social expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy activities such as making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They can also be harmful like binge eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may experience anxiety, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may experience low self-esteem or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is hard to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This is due to impulsivity, poor organization, or the inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into sexual activities that are not desired, and are at higher risk for domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. This can help them learn to recognize their issues and develop more positive internal dialogs. It can help them improve their relationships. Support services can include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD keep their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and look after their children.