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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Girls and women often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty in relationships with peers, or suffer from depression and anxiety. They also tend to be better at building coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult to be diagnosed and treated. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. It's crucial that those who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten. As women and girls grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing finances, keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their confidence in themselves and mental health, because they blame themselves for their troubles. Unlike some other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Women and girls tend to mask their symptoms with coping strategies, but these often backfire. In addition, hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded and having difficulty paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning, or laundry. 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 different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether anxiety or depression are contributing to their difficulties. It's also critical that people who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional who can examine their symptoms and medical history to rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD also suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and issues with relationships and social interaction. 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 suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they're not considered serious by family members, teachers or friends. They may not think that their problems are a serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some instances women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and have major difficulties with daily activities. Diagnosis Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they can have issues 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 which allows them to be less noticed. It is possible that girls' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity may go unnoticed over a period of years. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to detect. There are also co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to manage their lives, like anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This may be worsened because of hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal. A variety of these issues can result in a low self-esteem and problems with relationships. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek assistance. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD not to be able to establish friendships or communicate with others. They may miss social events and fail to show to appointments, and are unable to discern body language or read other people's nonverbal cues. They may even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up. It's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. This can be an “lightbulb” moment for women. It will help them to understand their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also help them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This could be beneficial to their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can take a toll on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and result in frustration and low confidence. They can make it difficult to manage adult demands, like managing finances, keeping your home in order or 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 result in stereotypes of gender about the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by the society. There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first choice is stimulant medication, but nonstimulants may also be effective for certain people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, and reduce anxiety, stress and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are particularly helpful. Therapy is also an important part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships. We employ the terms “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender that was assigned at birth, rather than to the person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers we employ this term. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex 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 have a misdiagnosis than men. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, making them more difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization instead of the impulsivity or hyperactivity. women and adhd is essential for women who often develop coping strategies to be normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy actions like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. But 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 low self-esteem and depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings can result in avoidance of school, work or social activities. They may also become more reliant on their parents for assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break. Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual partners in the adolescent years. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be pulled into unwanted sexual activities, and may be at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with partners. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships. Support services may include programs specifically designed for mothers and pregnant women with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to keep their jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.