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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for girls and women. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in relationships with peers, or suffer from anxiety and depression. They are also more adept in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. This is why it's vital that those suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized when they reach the age of adulthood. As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their home clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their issues. ADHD is a chronic illness unlike other mental disorders. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often result in a negative effect. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal symptoms could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful in the sense of losing track of time, difficulties paying attention in class or work and trouble with daily routines, such as meal planning, laundry or scheduling. high functioning adhd in women -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 various ways women and girls can present with ADHD and think about whether comorbid anxiety or depression can be a contributing factor to these issues. It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It's also common for adults with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia. Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't take them seriously. They might not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to require assistance. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and may be faced with challenges when it does occur. 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, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' problems with concentration, organization and impulsivity may be overlooked over a number of time. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. There are also co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This is often due to hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause. Many of these conditions can result in a low self-esteem and issues with relationships. This means it is often difficult for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This can delay the diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and have difficulty understanding 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 take action as quickly as possible. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” that can give them an external explanation for their difficulties and allow them to accept their own uniqueness. It can also help women to recognize their strength and adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can positively impact their family, work and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, resulting in anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adult life, such as managing finances, keeping your 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 create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can lead to girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society. There are, thankfully, effective treatment options available for ADHD for girls and women. A licensed health professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. In addition, a mix of treatments could be suggested by your physician to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety. Lifestyle changes, in addition to medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood disorders that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial. Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships. We employ the words “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. This is to ensure the use of a more consistent and clear terms across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. This article applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site. Support Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or get a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making it harder for doctors to determine. There are also signs that are less obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently create coping mechanisms to allow them to feel normal and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. However, they can also be unhealthy, such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress. The challenges girls and women with ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can 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. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break. In adolescence, girls as well as women who suffer from ADHD are at a higher risk of having sexual relations with non-consensual partners. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into unwanted sexual activity, and they are at higher risk for domestic violence and the exploitation of. As adults, women suffering from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy on their own or in partnership. This will help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal dialogs. It will also help them improve their relationships. Support services can also include coaching to teach parenting skills, as well as specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.