How ADHD In Women Became The Hottest Trend Of 2024
Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from anxiety and depression.
They also have a better chance of creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them.
Symptoms
The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten.
As women and girls develop into adults, they often remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their troubles.
Contrary to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend 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, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms.
Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being forgetful or absentminded in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during class or work and trouble 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 is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to determine if comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their difficulties.
It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as problems in social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as anxiety or chronic stress.
Many girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. They may also believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities.
adhd in older women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, and they can have issues 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 may also develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems 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 identify their symptoms. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, including depression and anxiety. They may find it difficult to manage their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as menopausal.
A variety of these issues can cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This can lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment.
It's also common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and communicating with others. They might miss social gatherings, or not attend appointments, and have trouble reading body language. They could even go off on tangents when talking, making it difficult for others to follow their lead.
It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. For women, this could be a "lightbulb moment" which can provide them with an external explanation of their problems and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.
Treatment
Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance. They can result in anxiety and a lack of confidence. They can make it difficult 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 create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.
There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The first 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 disorders such as anxiety or depressive disorders.
Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.
Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolve conflict in relationships.
At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is more consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to all individuals 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 content.
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 identify. They may also have signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
This masking is important for women who often develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a schedule for the day. But they can also be harmful such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, and may be suffering from relationship issues and chronic stress.
The difficulties that women and girls who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school and work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's difficult to break.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or the inability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they can be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation.
As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also get therapy either on their own or in partnership. This can help them learn to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogs. This can also help improve their relationships.
Support services could also include specialized programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD to keep their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and look after their children.