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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from depression and anxiety. They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Symptoms Although research shows that ADHD affects boys and men at a higher rate than women and girls but the gap between genders narrows as people get older. This is why it's critical that those suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized as they grow older. As girls and women grow into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances or keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their confidence in themselves and mental health, as they blame themselves for their issues. Unlike some other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope however, these strategies often fail. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention in classes or at work, and having 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 essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms and medical history, and rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and problems with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia. Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or may think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, 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 also have strategies to cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' issues with organization, concentration, and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of years. Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. Moreover, they can have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their life, such as depression and anxiety. For example, they can have trouble controlling their moods, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal. Many of these conditions may lead to low self-esteem or relationship issues. It can be difficult for these people to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This can delay the diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with others. They might miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have trouble understanding body language. They may even be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them. It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also aid women to recognize their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can have a positive effect on their personal, professional and family lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult to manage the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping your home clean and in good 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 could create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in women and girls suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first choice is a stimulant, however non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination treatment to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients identify and modify negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. We use the words “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender that was established at birth, and not to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site. Support Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to determine. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity. This masking is especially important for women, who typically create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy actions like setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily calendar. However, try here can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress. The challenges that girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They may also become dependent on their parents to help them with their daily chores. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that's difficult to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and are more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of. As adults, women with ADHD typically benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek therapy on their own or in a partnership. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will help them improve their relationships. Support services could include programs specifically designed for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their home responsibilities and take care of their children.