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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls often face a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms impact their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in social relationships or experience anxiety and depression. They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as we age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten. As girls and women grow into adulthood They continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances as well as keeping their homes tidy or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health, because they blame themselves for their issues. ADHD is a chronic condition and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often backfire. In addition, changes in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle, and pregnancy can make it harder to manage their 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 food preparation, laundry or scheduling. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways women and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties. It's also crucial that people with ADHD be assessed by a doctor or another qualified healthcare professional who can assess their symptoms and medical background to rule out other medical conditions. For example, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues like chronic stress or tics. Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They may not believe that their problems are serious enough to seek help or they might believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only after their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and may have issues when it does happen. 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 also develop strategies to manage their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as much. This means that their problems with organization, concentration and impulsivity can go unnoticed for years. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize the signs. Additionally, they may suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their life management skills like anxiety and depression. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be worsened by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Many of these conditions may lead to low self-esteem or relationship problems. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to talk about their problems and ask for help. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with others. They may miss social events, fail to turn to appointments, and are unable to detect body language or recognize other people's nonverbal signals. They may even go off on tangents while talking which makes it difficult for others to follow their lead. It's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and act immediately. For women, this could 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 assist women focus on their strengths and to adopt steps to improve their life management skills. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can affect the personal and professional life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and lead to anxiety and a lack of confidence. They may also make it more difficult to handle the demands of adulthood including 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 gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder. This can result in girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms in order to avoid getting stigmatized by society. There are a variety of effective treatment options available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. The most popular choice is a stimulant, however nonstimulants are also effective for some people. Your doctor might suggest a combination therapy to treat related disorders, such as anxiety or depressive disorders. Lifestyle changes, along with medication management, can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and reduce stress, anxiety and other issues with mood that are common in people with ADHD. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial. signs of adhd in women is also an essential component of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the terms “girls” and “women” to refer to the gender at birth (AFAB) rather than a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide more consistent and clear terms across our content and to reduce confusion for our readers. This article applies to people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We recognize that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers. Support Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. It's because girls and women tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have symptoms that are less evident to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization instead of hyperactivity or impulsivity. This is particularly crucial for women, who frequently develop coping mechanisms that help them feel normal and fulfill the expectations of society. These coping strategies may include healthy activities like making daily schedules or setting reminders on phones. However, they can also be harmful such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress. The challenges that women and girls who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This could lead to 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 activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This can be caused by insanity, poor organization, or inability to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also get therapy, individually or in a partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships. Support services could 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 help women with ADHD to keep their jobs, handle their home responsibilities and take care of their children.