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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, struggle with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety. They also do better at developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. It's crucial that those with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten. As women and girls grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem in the long run, and they may blame themselves for their problems. In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls tend to mask symptoms with methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, hormonal changes during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulty with daily routines, such as food planning, scheduling, or 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 various ways girls and women suffer from ADHD and also consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression contributes to the difficulties. It's also critical that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health problems such as anxiety or chronic stress. Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They might not think their issues are serious enough issue to seek help or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They may also face challenges if it is detected. 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 strategies to cope with their symptoms, resulting in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity might be unnoticed for a period of time. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. Additionally, they may have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal. A variety of these issues can cause low self-esteem or relationship problems. It can be difficult for people with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and ask for help. This can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or interact with others. They might miss social engagements or fail to show to appointments, and are unable to read body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They could even wander off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow their lead. For these reasons, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and act immediately. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist women to focus on their strengths and to adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This could positively impact their work, family and personal lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can take a toll on their personal and professional lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult to handle the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping the 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. Women and girls might also try to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by the society. There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medication, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. In addition to medications, lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and also reduce stress and anxiety. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial. Treatment also includes therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. We employ the terms “girls”, “women”, and “womens” to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. This is to ensure clearer and more consistent terminology across our content and to make it easier for our readers. However, this article also applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and welcome all readers to our site. Support Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. add in women test is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to recognize. There are also signs that are less obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This is particularly important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as setting reminders for phone calls or keeping a daily schedule. They can also be harmful like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might be overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and may suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress. The challenges that girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These feelings may lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or the inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation. As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with an individual or with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It can aid them in improving their relationships. Support services could also include special programs 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 and manage their home responsibilities and look after children.