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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel incompetent at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers or suffer from anxiety and depression. They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated. Symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored. As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their troubles. In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using coping techniques, but they often fail to work. In addition, changes in hormones during menstrual cycles, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD can include inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulties in daily routines such as meal planning, scheduling or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether comorbid depression or anxiety is contributing to their difficulties. It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider who will examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other issues. Certain 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 chronic stress or tics. Many girls and women suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are treated for ADHD or they do not receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are having difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until later in life 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 may develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms and make them less noticed. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity might go unnoticed over a period of years. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify their symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills including anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. why not check here may be worsened due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. A variety of these issues can lead to low self-esteem or relationships problems. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for assistance. This can result in delays in the diagnosis and treatment. It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to form friendships or interact with others. They may miss social events and fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to discern body language or read the non-verbal signals of others. They may even go off on tangents while talking and make it difficult for others to follow them. It is essential to get a proper diagnose and take action as quickly as you can. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept themselves more fully. It also allows to identify their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they enter adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and cause frustration and low confidence. They may also make it difficult to cope with the demands of adulthood like managing finances, keeping a 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 lead to gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in women and girls suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety disorders. In addition to medication lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the terms “girls” and “women” to refer to gender assigned at birth (AFAB) rather than an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is consistent and clear and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our content. Support Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. This is because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This is particularly important for women, who typically develop coping strategies that make them feel comfortable and meet societal expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities such as keeping daily schedules or setting phone reminders. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. They may also have relationship issues and chronic stress. Women and girls with ADHD may experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can lead to a cycle of dependency and dependence on others that's difficult to break. Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in the adolescent period. This can be caused by the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or the inability to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are at higher risk for 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 get therapy, individually or in a partnership. This can help them to identify their struggles and build more positive internal dialogs. This will also help 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 parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD to maintain jobs, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.