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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls are often faced with a wide range of challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms interfere with their lives. They may feel unprepared at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from depression and anxiety. They are also better at creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. inattentive adhd in women makes it more difficult to recognize and treat them. Symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD issues don't feel neglected or forgotten. As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances and keeping their home clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their troubles. In contrast to other mental disorders, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Girls and women are more likely to mask symptoms with methods of coping, but these 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 inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble 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 is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the many ways women and girls present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is contributing to their difficulties. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD are evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms and medical history, and rule out any other medical conditions. Certain people with ADHD have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression as well as low self-esteem and problems in social interactions and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health problems such as chronic stress or tics. Many girls and women who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't consider them serious. They may not believe that their issues are serious enough to seek help 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 diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and have significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until 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 may also develop strategies to manage their symptoms and lead to them not being noticed as often. This means that their problems with concentration, organisation and impulsivity can go unnoticed for years. Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD which makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Moreover, they can suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their life including anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty to manage their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy and menopausal. A lot of these issues could result in low self-esteem and relationship problems. It is often difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek help. This can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. It's also common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with others. They might not attend social events, fail to turn up for appointments and can't discern body language or recognize other people's nonverbal signals. They might even go off on tangents during conversations which makes it difficult for others to follow them. It is crucial to receive a proper diagnose and act as swiftly as possible. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” which can provide them with an external explanation for their struggles and help them accept themselves more fully. It can also assist women to recognize their strengths and adopt steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. The article is medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment As women and girls develop into adults untreated ADHD can have a devastating effect on their professional and personal lives. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance. They can result in frustration and low confidence. They can also make it difficult for people to manage adult demands like managing finances and keeping a 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 could lead to gender-based stereotypes regarding the disorder, which could lead to girls and women suppressing or denying their own symptoms to avoid getting stigmatized by society. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for ADHD both in girls and women. A licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may suggest a combination therapy to address related conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. Alongside medication lifestyle changes can also aid in the management of ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus, as well as reduce anxiety, stress and other mood disorders that are which are common in people suffering from ADHD. Group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes, are particularly beneficial. Therapy is also a crucial element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and modify negative thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be helpful in improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships. We employ the words “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 our readers we use this term. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) as well as to transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our website. Support Women and those who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to hide their symptoms, which makes them more difficult for doctors to spot. They might also exhibit symptoms that are less obvious to others. For example, inattentiveness and disorganization, instead of excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who often come up with strategies to help them feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as setting phone reminders or keeping a daily calendar. But they can also be harmful such as binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and suffer from relationship issues and chronic stress. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD can experience low self-esteem and other symptoms such as anxiety, depression or abdominal pain. These feelings can lead to avoidance of school and work, or social activities. They could also become dependent on their parents to assist them with their daily chores. This can create an addiction and reliance that can be difficult to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual partners in adolescence. This could be due to the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or a failure to use contraception. They are more likely to be pushed into sexually inappropriate activities and are at a greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation. As adults, women who suffer from ADHD typically benefit from coping strategies and medication to manage their symptoms. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with a partner. This can help them to recognize their issues and build more positive internal dialogs. It will also help them improve their relationships. Support services can include programs specifically designed for pregnant and parenting women with ADHD and coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work and household responsibilities, and care for children.