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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 unprepared at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience anxiety and depression. They are also more adept at building coping mechanisms that cover their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD sufferers don't feel neglected or ostracized when they reach adulthood. As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently continue to have trouble with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances, 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 troubles. In contrast to other mental disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies to cope, but they often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type 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 meal planning, laundry 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 various ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and also consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues. It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who can assess their symptoms and medical history to rule out other conditions. Certain people with ADHD also have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and issues with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics. Many girls and women suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by their teachers, families or friends. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are having difficulty with daily living activities. Diagnosis Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. They can 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 also have strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as much. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity can remain unnoticed for a long time. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the symptoms. Moreover, they can suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their life management skills like depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal. A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and ask for help. This can delay diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or communicate with others. They may miss social events, fail to turn on time for appointments, and fail to detect body language or read other people's nonverbal signals. They could even wander off on tangents during conversations and make it difficult for others to follow their lead. For these reasons, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and act immediately. For women, this could be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also aid women to focus on their strengths and make changes to improve their life management skills. This could have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment As girls and women develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance. They can cause frustration and low confidence. They can also make it more difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood, such as managing finances, keeping a 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 stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Girls and women may then suppress or hide their symptoms to avoid being judged by society. There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The most popular choice is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your doctor to treat related disorders such as depression or anxiety. adhd in women symptoms , in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues common in people with ADHD. Group activities, like team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial. Treatment also includes therapy. Recommended Resource site for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. We use the terms “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender assigned at birth, not to a person's gender identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for readers. This article applies to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, including transgender people and those who are nonbinary. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our content. Support Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. They also might have symptoms that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who often develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like setting phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. But they can also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. They may also suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress. The challenges women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is hard to break. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with nonconsensual partners during the adolescent period. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a lack of ability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation. As adults, women who suffer from ADHD can often benefit from medication and coping strategies to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist in a couple or on their own with a partner. This will help them to understand their challenges and develop more positive internal conversations. This will also help improve their relationships. Support services may also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women suffering from ADHD keep their jobs, manage their household responsibilities, and care for their children.