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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Untreated ADHD symptoms can lead to many issues for women and girls. They may feel incompetent at work, struggle in social relationships or suffer from anxiety and depression. They also have a better chance of creating coping mechanisms to hide their ADHD symptoms. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat them. Signs and symptoms Although research has proven that ADHD affects men and boys more frequently than girls and women, the gender gap narrows as people age. It's crucial that those with ADHD issues don't feel neglected or ignored. As girls and women grow into adults, they typically still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may struggle with managing their finances or keeping the house clean or maintaining healthy relationships. Years of untreated ADHD can also affect their self-esteem and mental health, as they blame themselves for their problems. ADHD is a chronic condition and is not like other mental disorders. Women and girls tend to hide their symptoms by using strategies for coping that can backfire, but they often do. Additionally, hormonal changes during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause could make it harder to manage ADHD symptoms. Inattentive-type ADHD symptoms typically are characterized by being forgetful or numb in the sense of losing the track of time, having trouble paying attention during classes or at work and difficulty with daily routines like meal planning, 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 many ways that girls and women present with ADHD and to consider whether the presence of anxiety or depression is the cause of their struggles. It's important that people with ADHD are examined by a certified healthcare professional. They can assess their symptoms, medical history and rule out any other medical conditions. For instance, some individuals with ADHD have additional mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, a low self-esteem and trouble with social interactions and relationships. It is also common for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring physical health issues, such as chronic stress, tics and fibromyalgia. Many girls and women who have ADHD are not diagnosed because their parents, teachers or friends don't take them seriously. They might not think their issues are serious enough problem to seek assistance, or they may believe that their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting, low self-esteem or other external factors. In some cases women and girls with ADHD are only diagnosed when their children are diagnosed with ADHD, or they don't receive a diagnosis until they reach their 40s or 50s and are experiencing significant difficulty with day-to-day living activities. Diagnosis Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood and can have issues 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 to disguise their symptoms, allowing them to be less well-known. This means that their issues with organization, concentration and impulsivity may go unnoticed for years. Women are also more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD, which makes their symptoms harder to recognize. They may also suffer from co-occurring disorders that affect their ability to manage their lives, such as depression and anxiety. They may be unable to manage their emotions. This can be exacerbated by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause. Many of these conditions can cause a loss of self-esteem and problems with relationships. In the end, it is often difficult for them to open up about their issues and seek help. This can result in delays in the diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble making friends and communicating with others. They may skip social events, not attend appointments, and have difficulty understanding body language. They may even be prone to wander off on tangents when they're talking, making it more difficult for others to keep up with them. It's important that you get an accurate diagnosis and act as swiftly as possible. This can be a “lightbulb” moment for women. It can help them recognize their struggles and accept themselves better. It can also assist them to focus on their strengths and make steps to improve their life management abilities. This can positively impact their personal, professional and family lives. Huma Sheikh MD has reviewed the article. Treatment Untreated ADHD can affect the professional and personal lives of girls and women as they grow into adulthood. Symptoms can interfere with relationships and work performance, leading to feelings of self-doubt and frustration. They can also make it harder to manage the demands of adult life including managing finances, keeping the 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, in turn, can create gender-based stereotypes about the disorder, which can result in girls and women suppressing or hiding their own symptoms in order to avoid being stigmatized by society. There are effective treatments for ADHD in women and girls. inattentive adhd in women licensed healthcare professional can prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. The first option is stimulant medications, however nonstimulants may also be effective for certain individuals. Your healthcare professional may also recommend a combination treatment to treat related disorders like depression or anxiety disorders. In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that increase concentration and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety and other mood issues that are common among people with ADHD. Physical activities that can be enjoyed in groups, like group fitness classes or team sports, are especially beneficial. Therapy is also an essential element of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can be beneficial for improving communication and resolving conflict in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the words “girls” and “women” to refer to gender at birth (AFAB) rather than the person's gender-specific identity. This is to ensure more consistent and clear terms across our content and to avoid confusion for readers. However, this article also applies to those who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and also to transgender and nonbinary individuals. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and we welcome all of our readers. Support Women and people who were assigned females at birth (AFAB), with ADHD, are more likely than males to be misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed. This is because women and girls tend to conceal their symptoms, so they're more difficult for doctors to recognize. There are also signs that aren't apparent to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity. This is particularly crucial for women, who typically develop coping mechanisms that allow them to feel normal and meet societal expectations. These strategies of coping can include healthy actions such as maintaining a daily schedule or setting reminders for phone calls. But they can also be harmful such as excessive eating or abuse of substances. Women who are not treated for ADHD might feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed, and they could have relationship issues and chronic stress. Women and girls with ADHD can experience low self-esteem, or other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or abdominal pain. These issues can lead to being unable to attend school, work, or social activities. They may also be more dependent on their parents to help with daily tasks. This can create an unhealthy cycle of dependence and reliance that is difficult to break. Girls and women with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual activities with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due to impulsivity, poor organization, or a failure to make use of contraception. They are also more likely to be pushed into unwanted sexual activity, and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and exploitation. Women suffering from ADHD who are adults may benefit from medications to treat symptoms and strategies for coping. They can also seek help from a therapist whether on their own or with an individual or with a partner. They can learn to understand themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. It can help them improve their relationships. Support services could also include special programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD as well as coaching to help them develop parenting skills. These programs will make it easier for women with ADHD to work and household responsibilities and look after children.