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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 interfere with their daily lives. 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 conceal their ADHD symptoms, making it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as we age. This is why it's critical that people suffering from ADHD issues don't feel abandoned or unloved as they grow older. As women and girls develop into adults, they often still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have trouble managing finances, 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 problems. In contrast to other psychiatric disorders ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women are more likely to hide their symptoms by using strategies to cope, but they often result in a negative effect. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it more difficult for women to manage their ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD can include forgetfulness or being absentminded or having trouble paying attention at work or in class, and having difficulties with daily routines, such as food planning, scheduling or washing. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the different ways women and girls present with ADHD and to determine if the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their problems. It is also essential that those with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical background to rule out other issues. For instance, some people with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, low self-esteem and trouble with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to experience physical health issues, such as tics or chronic stress. Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not believe that their problems are a serious enough to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Some girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children receive treatment for ADHD. Others aren't diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulty with daily living activities. Diagnosis Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and can 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 frequently. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity could remain unnoticed for a long time. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to identify the signs. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, including anxiety and depression. For example, they can have trouble controlling their emotions, and this can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal. Many of these conditions can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. This means it can be difficult to talk about their challenges and seek assistance. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and engaging with others. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them. For these reasons, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. It could be an “lightbulb” moment for women. It can help them understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also aid women focus on their strength and adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This can have a positive effect on their professional, personal and family lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. They may also make it more difficult to manage the demands of adult life like 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 hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society. There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed healthcare professional is able to prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might recommend a combination treatment to treat related conditions like anxiety or depressive disorders. Alongside medication lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters which boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, can be especially beneficial. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people recognize and alter negative thought patterns that contribute ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial in improving communication and resolving 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. This is to provide more consistent and clear terms across our content and to make it easier for readers. add symptoms in women Iam Psychiatry is applicable to all individuals who were male at birth, which includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we are happy to welcome all readers to our website. Support Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than men 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 might also exhibit symptoms that aren't obvious to others. For instance, inattention and disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who frequently develop strategies for coping to feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping strategies may include healthy actions like maintaining a daily schedule or setting phone reminders. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety or depressed, and overwhelmed and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress. Girls and women with ADHD can experience low self-esteem or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can cause being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents for help with daily tasks. This can lead to an addiction and reliance that is hard to break. Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with nonconsensual partners during adolescence. This could be due to the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to utilize contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they can be more vulnerable to domestic violence and the exploitation of. As adults, women with ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also receive therapy, individually or in partnership. They can begin to understand themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will help them improve their relationships. Support services can also include special programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD, as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.