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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to a variety of problems for women and girls. They may feel unable at work, struggle with peer relationships and suffer from depression or anxiety.

They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms

The gender gap in ADHD is narrowing as people age. This is why it's critical that those suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or ostracized as they grow older.

As girls and women develop into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, since they blame themselves for their issues.

ADHD is a chronic illness unlike other mental disorders. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but these often backfire. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms.

Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms typically include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty 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's important for healthcare providers to be aware of the many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their problems.

It's also critical that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who will assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as tics, chronic stress and fibromyalgia.

Many girls and women suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not believe that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have major difficulties with daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. They may also face challenges if it is discovered. 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 also develop strategies to cope with their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as much. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity may go unnoticed for years.

Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms more difficult to detect. They can also have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, like depression and anxiety. For instance, they might find it hard to control 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 relationship problems. In the end, it is often difficult to talk about their struggles and seek assistance. This can delay 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 gatherings, or not show up for appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may also be prone to wander off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.

It is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and act as fast as possible. This can be an "lightbulb" moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This could positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and lead to frustration and low confidence. They can also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping the 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, in turn, can create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society.

There are, thankfully, effective treatments available for ADHD in women and girls. Medicines regulate brain activity and control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders, such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, can be especially beneficial.

Treatment also includes therapy.  high functioning adhd in women  assists individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can help improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) instead of the person's gender-specific identity. To make our content more clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website.

Support

Women and people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. They also might have symptoms that seem less obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This is crucial for women who frequently come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions such as keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. But they can also be unhealthy such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and they could have relationship issues and chronic stress.

Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem and other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoiding school, work or social activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks.  high functioning adhd in women  could lead to an addiction and reliance that can be 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 to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activities, and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation.

Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medications to treat symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek out therapy, either individually or with partners. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships.

Support services can also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, take care of their home responsibilities and look after their children.