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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can cause a variety of problems for girls and women. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from anxiety or depression. They also have a better chance of developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat them. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is shrinking as people get older. It's crucial that those with ADHD symptoms don't feel isolated or forgotten. As girls and women mature into adulthood, they continue to struggle with ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing finances, keeping the house clean, or maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can affect their self-esteem and mental health in the long run, and they might blame themselves for their issues. Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using strategies for coping, but these often backfire. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual cycles as well as menopausal and pregnancy can make it difficult to manage their ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically include being forgetful or absentminded and losing track of time, difficulties paying attention during class or work and 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 crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the various ways girls and women are diagnosed with ADHD and to determine if anxiety or depression are the cause of their struggles. It's also crucial that people with ADHD be evaluated by a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate their symptoms and medical history to rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD suffer from additional mental health issues like anxiety or depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social interactions and relationships. 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 girls and women who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't consider them serious. They may not think that their issues are serious enough issue to seek help, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of a poor parenting style or low self-esteem, among other external factors. Women and girls are diagnosed with ADHD only when their children are treated for ADHD. Some aren't diagnosed until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing difficulties with their daily activities. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood, and they 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 can develop coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with concentration, organisation and impulsivity may be ignored for a long time. Women are more likely to be affected by high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. Additionally, they may have co-occurring conditions that impact their ability to manage their lives including depression and anxiety. For instance, they may have trouble controlling their moods, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Many of these issues contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. In the end, it isn't easy for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and engaging with other people. They may skip social gatherings, fail to attend appointments, and may have difficulty understanding body language. They might even wander off on tangents when talking which makes it difficult for others to follow them. It's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” that gives them an external explanation for their difficulties and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also aid women to focus on their strengths and to make changes to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. The article has been reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal life of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can affect relationships and work performance and result in feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult to cope with the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping a home tidy 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 result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Women and girls might then conceal or minimize their symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by the society. There are effective treatments for ADHD in girls and women. The medications control brain activity and to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. The most popular choice is stimulant medication, but non-stimulants can also be beneficial for certain individuals. In high functioning adhd in women , a combination of treatments could be suggested by your healthcare professional to address related conditions such as anxiety or depression. In addition to medication lifestyle changes can help manage ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters which boost 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 particularly helpful. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling is also helpful in improving communication and resolving conflicts in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the terms “girls” and “women” to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. To ensure that our content is clear and consistent and to avoid confusion among our readers, we use this terminology. This article 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 readers to our content. Support Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or never diagnosed. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it more difficult for doctors to determine. They also might have symptoms that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This is crucial for women who typically come up with strategies to help them feel normal and to meet social expectations. These coping mechanisms may include healthy things like setting phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. But they can also be harmful like excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women with untreated ADHD may feel anxious over, depressed, or overwhelmed and have issues with relationships and chronic stress. The challenges women and girls with ADHD confront can result in feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety or even somatic complaints such as headaches or abdominal pain. These feelings may lead to the avoidance of school, work, or social activities. They could also become more reliant on their parents to help with everyday tasks. This can lead to an environment of dependency and reliance on others that is difficult to break. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent period. This can be due to an impulsive nature, inadequate planning, or an inability to make use of contraception. They are more likely to be forced into unwanted sexual activities, and can be at greater risk of domestic violence and exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults could benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also seek therapy, either individually or with an individual or with a partner. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a positive internal dialogue. It will aid them in improving their relationships. Support services could include coaching to teach parenting skills and programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or parenting. These programs can help women with ADHD maintain their jobs, manage their responsibilities at home and look after their children.