Why Is ADHD In Women So Popular?

Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to various issues for girls and women. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression.

They are also more adept in establishing coping mechanisms that mask their ADHD symptoms, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated.

Signs and symptoms

While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more often than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel abandoned or forgotten.

As girls and women develop into adults, they often remain troubled by their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their self-esteem and mental health over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles.

Contrary to other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Women and girls are prone to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. In addition, hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can make it harder to manage their ADHD symptoms.

Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms usually include being impulsive or forgetful, losing track of time, difficulty 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's crucial that healthcare providers are aware of the many ways girls and women present with ADHD, and consider whether depression or anxiety can be a contributing factor to these issues.

It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms, medical history and rule out other conditions. Some people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and problems with relationships and social interaction. It's also common for people with ADHD to have other health issues that are co-occurring such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia.

Many women and girls with ADHD don't receive a diagnosis because they're not taken seriously by teachers, family or friends. They may not think that their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance or they might believe that their ADHD symptoms are the result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood and can 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 develop coping strategies that mask their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity could go unnoticed over a period of time.

Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Additionally, they may suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their life including depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This is often by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period as well as pregnancy and menopausal.

A variety of these issues can result in low self-esteem and relationship issues. In the end, it isn't easy to talk about their challenges and seek assistance. This can result in delay in the diagnosis and treatment.

It's also typical for those with ADHD not to be able to make friends or communicate with others. They may miss social events and fail to show up for appointments and can't read body language or read the non-verbal signals of others. They might even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it difficult for others to keep up.

In these circumstances, it's essential to obtain a correct diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. For women, this may be a "lightbulb moment" that gives them an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also help them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.

Treatment

As women and girls develop into adults and adults, untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. These symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, leading to frustration and low self-esteem. They can also make it harder to manage the demands of adulthood 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 stereotypes regarding the disorder. Females and females may then suppress or hide their symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD for both genders. Medicines regulate brain activity and help control symptoms, and can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant drugs are the first option, but non-stimulants could also be effective for certain people. Your doctor might suggest a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders.

Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, and also reduce anxiety and stress. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, such as group fitness classes or team sports, are particularly helpful.

Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify and change negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to gender determined at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. This is to facilitate more consistent and clear terms across our content and to avoid confusion for our readers. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender people and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sex are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers.

Support

Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) and suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to conceal their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others, such as inattention or disorganization instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This is crucial for women who frequently develop coping strategies to feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy actions like making daily schedules or setting phone reminders. But they can also be harmful such as binge eating or a drug abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and they could suffer from relationship problems and chronic stress.

Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with low self-esteem, or other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or abdominal pain. These issues can cause avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They may also be more reliant on their parents to assistance with their daily tasks.  adhd test for women  can lead to an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance on others that's hard to break.

Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activity with non-consensual partners in the adolescent years. This can be due to impulsivity, poor planning, or an inability to use contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and are at a greater risk of being victims of domestic violence and abuse.

As adults, women who suffer from ADHD are often able to benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also get therapy either on their own or in partnership. This can help them to identify their struggles and develop more positive internal conversations. It can aid them in improving their relationships.

Support services could include programs specifically designed for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD as well as coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and manage their home responsibilities and take care of children.