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Blog entry by Evelyne Wooley

Ten Taboos About ADHD In Women You Should Not Share On Twitter

Ten Taboos About ADHD In Women You Should Not Share On Twitter

human-givens-institute-logo.pngChallenges of ADHD in Women and Girls

Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated adhd and depression in women symptoms affect their daily lives. They may feel unsatisfied at work, have difficulty with relationships with peers and suffer from depression or anxiety.

Royal_College_of_Psychiatrists_logo.pngThey also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.

Signs Of Adhd Adult Women and symptoms

While research confirms ADHD affects men and boys more often than girls and women however, the gap between the genders shrinks as people get older. It's important that adults 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 trouble managing finances and keeping their homes clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also take a toll on their self-esteem and mental health as they blame themselves for their issues.

Contrary to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a chronic condition. Girls and women with attention deficit disorder tend to hide their symptoms by using coping strategies that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes could make it harder to manage adhd in women adult symptoms.

Inattentive-type ADHD can manifest as the inability to remember things or being oblivious, having trouble paying attention at work or in classes, and having trouble with daily routines like meal planning, scheduling or washing. 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 various ways girls and women be diagnosed with ADHD and think about whether depression or anxiety contributes to the difficulties.

It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can look at their symptoms as well as their medical history and rule out other conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD are also suffering from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulty with social relationships and relationships. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to have physical health issues, such as chronic stress or tics.

Many women and girls who have ADHD aren't diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They may not think that their issues are serious enough to seek help, or they may believe their ADHD symptoms are the result of a poor parenting style, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or they are not diagnosed until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities.

Diagnosis

Women often do not get diagnosed with ADHD until 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 also have coping strategies that mask their symptoms, which can result in them not being noticed as frequently. It is possible that girls' issues with concentration, organization and impulsivity could be unnoticed for a period of time.

Women are also more likely to have high-functioning ADHD and this makes their symptoms harder to pick up on. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their ability to manage their life including depression and anxiety. For instance, they may struggle to manage their emotions, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal.

A lot of these issues could cause low self-esteem or relationships problems. It is often difficult for people with these conditions to discuss their problems and seek help. This could delay diagnosis and treatment.

Additionally, it's normal for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. They might not attend social events and fail to show on time for appointments, and fail to read body language or pick up on other people's nonverbal cues. They may even be inclined to go off on tangents while talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them.

In these circumstances, it's crucial to receive a thorough diagnosis and take action as soon as possible. This could be a "lightbulb" moment for women. It will help them to understand their difficulties and make them feel more comfortable with themselves. It can also assist them focus on their strengths and take steps to improve their life management abilities. This could have a positive impact on their work, family and personal lives. Huma Sheikh MD has read the article.

Treatment

Untreated ADHD can impact the professional and personal lives of women and girls as they grow into adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance, and cause feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can also make it difficult for people to cope with adult demands, such as managing finances and maintaining a clean home, or maintaining healthy relationships.

Women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis of adhd in women adult than boys and men, partly because hyperactive/impulsive symptoms tend to be more commonly associated with males. This could result in gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can lead to women and girls avoiding or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being branded as a victim by society.

There are effective treatment options for ADHD in girls and women. Medicines regulate brain activity and help to manage symptoms. They can be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional. Stimulant medications are the first option, however non-stimulants may also be beneficial for certain people. Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment to treat related conditions such as anxiety or depressive disorders.

Lifestyle adjustments, in addition to medication management, can help control ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise can release neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as group fitness classes or team sports classes, can be particularly beneficial.

Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also be beneficial to improve communication and resolve conflicts in relationships.

At Verywell Health, we use the terms "girls" and "women" to refer to the gender assigned at birth (AFAB) instead of an individual's affirmation of gender identity. To ensure that our content is uniform and clear, and to avoid confusion among readers, we use this terminology. This article is applicable to all individuals who were assigned males at birth, including transgender and nonbinary people. We recognize that sex and gender are not mutually exclusive, and we welcome all readers to our site.

Support

Women and those who were assigned females at birth (AFAB) who suffer from ADHD are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. That's because girls and women tend to hide their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to recognize. There are also signs that seem less obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization rather than excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity.

This masking is essential for women who typically develop strategies for coping to feel normal and meet social expectations. These strategies for coping may include healthy activities like maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders on phones. They can also be unhealthy like binge eating or substance abuse. Women with untreated ADHD might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and have issues with relationships and chronic stress.

The difficulties that women and girls who suffer from ADHD have to face can lead to feelings of low self-esteem depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints like headaches or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school or work activities. They may also become more dependent on their parents to help them with their daily tasks. That can create a cycle of dependency and reliance on others that's hard to break.

Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during the adolescent years. This can be caused by the impulsiveness, lack of organization, or a failure to utilize contraception. They are also more likely to be pressured into sexual activities that are not desired, and they are at higher risk for domestic violence and exploitation.

Women with ADHD who are adults may benefit from medication to help manage symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also receive therapy either on their own or in a partnership. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It will also help them improve their relationships.

Support services can also include coaching for parenting skills and specialized programs for women with ADHD who are pregnant or have children. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to maintain jobs, manage responsibilities at home and take care of children.

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