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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety. They are also better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. This is the reason it's crucial that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved when they reach adulthood. As girls and women grow into adulthood and become adults, they struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their problems. In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Women and girls are prone to mask their symptoms with strategies for coping, but these often backfire. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during classes or at work, and having trouble with daily routines, such as food preparation, laundry 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 various ways women and girls can present with ADHD, and consider whether comorbid anxiety or depression is contributing to these difficulties. It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can examine their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or low self-esteem, as well as issues with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia. Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also be faced with challenges 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 can develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms and make them less visible. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity could remain unnoticed for a long time. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it harder to detect the symptoms. Moreover, they can suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as anxiety and depression. For example, they can struggle to manage their moods, which can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal. A lot of these issues could lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for these people to talk about their problems and seek assistance. This can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment. It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social events, not attend appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up with them. In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and take action immediately. For women, this may be an “lightbulb moment” that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and allow them to accept themselves more fully. It can also help women to recognize their strengths and take steps to improve life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances and keeping a home in order 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, in turn, can result in gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which could lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society. There are a variety of effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. Medications regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a certified healthcare professional. The first option is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety. In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are that are common among people with ADHD. Group activities, like group fitness classes or team sports classes, are particularly beneficial. Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. We employ the words “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article is applicable to all those who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually-exclusive, and welcome all our readers. 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 hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't evident to others. For Highly recommended Resource site , inattentiveness and disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This masking is especially important for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy actions like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be harmful like binge-eating or drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed, and they could have relationship issues and chronic stress. Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms like anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for helping them with their daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break. signs and symptoms of adhd in women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they can be at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of. Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek therapy on their own or in a group. This can help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal conversations. It can help them improve their relationships. Support services can include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities, and care for children.