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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls often face many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their daily lives. They may feel unprepared at work, experience difficulties in social relationships or experience depression and anxiety. They also have a better chance of developing strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat them. Symptoms While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more frequently than women and girls, the gender gap narrows as people get older. It's important that adults who suffer from ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten. As women and girls develop into adults, they frequently remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances, keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also impact their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their troubles. ADHD is a chronic illness and is not like other psychiatric disorders. Girls and women tend to hide their symptoms by using methods of coping, but these often backfire. In add symptoms in adult women , hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause may make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during classes or at work, and having trouble 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 essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the various ways women and girls present with ADHD and to think about whether comorbid depression or anxiety is the cause of their struggles. It is also essential that those who suffer from ADHD be evaluated by a doctor 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 depression or anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties with relationships and social interaction. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues like chronic stress or tics. Many women and girls with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis because they aren't taken seriously by family members, teachers or friends. They may not believe that their symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking help. Or, they might think that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or a lack of self-esteem. Certain women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Others are not diagnosed until they are in their 40s or their 50s, and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and can face 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 mask their symptoms which allows them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may remain unnoticed for a long time. Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring conditions that impact their life management skills including anxiety and depression. For instance, they may struggle to manage their moods, which can be caused by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal. A variety of these issues can result in a low self-esteem and issues with relationships. This means it can be difficult for them to speak up about their struggles and seek help. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment. It's also normal for people with ADHD not to be able to make friends or interact with others. They might miss social engagements and fail to show up for appointments and can't discern body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may even wander off on tangents while talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them. In these circumstances, it's important to get a proper diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. For women, this can be an “lightbulb moment” that can give them an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also assist to identify their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can be beneficial to their professional, personal and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they enter adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, resulting in frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands, such as managing finances, maintaining a clean home 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 could create gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which could lead to women and girls avoiding or denying their own symptoms to avoid being branded as a victim by society. There are, thankfully, effective treatment options for ADHD in women and girls. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The first choice is stimulant medication, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for some people. Additionally, a combination of treatments might be recommended by your physician to treat related disorders such as anxiety or depression. In addition to medications lifestyle changes can aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and focus as well as reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports are especially beneficial. Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive therapy for behavior can help patients recognize and alter negative thinking patterns that contribute to their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships. We use the terms “girls”, “women” and “womens” to refer to the gender that was established at birth, rather than to a person's gender identity. To ensure that our content is more clear and consistent, and to avoid confusion among readers we use this term. This article applies to all people who were male at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all of our readers. Support Females and those who are 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 difficult for doctors to identify. They may also have signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who typically develop coping strategies to feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like making phone reminders or keeping a daily schedule. But they can also be unhealthy like binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may experience anxiety, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress. The difficulties that women and girls who suffer from ADHD face can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can cause the avoidance of school or work activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that can be difficult to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This is due to insanity, poor organization, or inability to use contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and exploitation. As adults, women suffering from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medications to manage their symptoms. They can also seek out therapy in a couple or on their own with a partner. This will help them to identify their struggles and create more positive internal dialogues. It will also help them improve their relationships. Support services may also include special programs for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD, as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can help women with ADHD to keep their jobs and household responsibilities and look after children.