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Challenges of ADHD in Women and Girls Women and girls are often faced with many challenges when untreated ADHD symptoms affect their lives. They may feel inadequate at work, have difficulty with peer relationships and suffer from anxiety or depression. They also tend to be better in developing coping mechanisms to cover their ADHD symptoms, making it harder to be diagnosed and treated. Signs and symptoms The gender gap in ADHD is decreasing as people age. This is why it's vital that people suffering from ADHD symptoms not feel forgotten or ostracized when they reach the age of adulthood. As women and girls develop into adults, they often still struggle with their ADHD symptoms. They may have difficulty managing their finances or keeping the house clean and maintaining healthy relationships. Untreated ADHD can impact their mental health and self-esteem over time, as they might blame themselves for their troubles. In contrast to other psychiatric disorders, ADHD is a condition that lasts for a lifetime. Girls and women tend to cover up their symptoms using methods of coping, but these often fail to work. In addition, hormonal changes during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make it more difficult to manage ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit ADHD can manifest as inattention or forgetfulness or having trouble paying attention in class, and having difficulty in daily routines such as scheduling meals, meal planning or doing laundry. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms can include rushing through tasks, jumping from one task to another or making rash decisions. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the different ways women and girls can suffer from ADHD and also consider 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 any other medical conditions. For instance, some people with ADHD have additional mental health issues like depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties with relationships and social interactions. Adults with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from physical health issues, such as anxiety or chronic stress. Many women and girls who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed because their teachers, families or friends don't treat them as seriously. They might not think their issues are serious enough to seek help or may think their ADHD symptoms are a result of poor parenting or low self-esteem, or any other external factors. In some instances, girls and women with ADHD are diagnosed only after their children are treated for ADHD or they don't receive a diagnosis until they're in their 40s or 50s and are experiencing major difficulties with daily activities. Diagnosis Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until later in life, and they can face 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' problems with organization, concentration, and impulsivity could be unnoticed for a period of years. Women are more likely to suffer from high-functioning ADHD. This makes it difficult to recognize their symptoms. Furthermore, they could have co-occurring illnesses that affect their life management skills like depression and anxiety. They may have difficulty to control their emotions. This may be worsened by hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and menopause. A variety of these issues can contribute to a lack of self-esteem and difficulties in relationships. It can be difficult for those with these conditions to openly discuss their issues and seek assistance. This could lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it's common for people with ADHD to have difficulty making friends and interacting with others. They may miss social gatherings, fail to show up for appointments, and may have difficulty reading body language. They may even be prone to going off on tangents when they're talking, making it harder for others to keep up with them. full report to receive a thorough diagnosis and get it as soon as you can. For women, this can be a “lightbulb moment” that can give them an external explanation of their problems and help them accept their own uniqueness. It can also aid women to recognize their strengths and take steps to improve life management skills. This could be beneficial to their work, family and personal lives. The article is reviewed medically by Huma Sheikh, MD. Treatment Untreated ADHD can impact the personal and professional lives of women and girls as they reach adulthood. The symptoms can impact relationships and work performance and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. They can make it difficult to cope with adult demands, such as 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 can result in gender stereotypes regarding the disorder. Girls and women might then conceal or minimize their symptoms to avoid being stigmatized by the society. There are effective treatments for ADHD for both genders. A licensed health professional can prescribe medications that regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant medications are the first choice, but non-stimulants can also be effective for some people. In addition, a mix of treatments may be recommended by your physician to treat related issues like depression or anxiety. Alongside medication, lifestyle changes can aid in managing ADHD symptoms. Regular exercise releases neurotransmitters that boost concentration and focus and reduce stress and anxiety. Group activities, such as group fitness or team sports classes, are particularly beneficial. Therapy is also part of the treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify and modify negative thinking patterns that cause their ADHD symptoms. Couples counseling can also help improve communication and resolve conflict in relationships. At Verywell Health, we use the terms “girls” and “women” to refer to the gender determined at birth (AFAB) instead of a person's affirmed gender identity. This is to provide the use of a more consistent and clear language across our content, and to reduce confusion for readers. However, this article also applies to males assigned at birth (AMAB), and to transgender people and nonbinary people. We acknowledge that gender and sexuality are not mutually exclusive and welcome all readers to our site. Support Females and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) with ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed or have a misdiagnosis than men. It's because women and girls tend to hide symptoms which makes it difficult for doctors to identify. There are also signs that aren't obvious to others, like inattentiveness or disorganization, rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity. This masking is important for women who often develop strategies for coping to feel normal and meet social expectations. These coping strategies could include healthy activities such as making phone reminders or keeping a schedule for the day. They can also be harmful such as binge-eating or substance abuse. Women who are not treated for ADHD may feel anxious or depressed, and overwhelmed and may be suffering from issues with relationships and chronic stress. The difficulties that girls and women with ADHD face can contribute to feelings of self-esteem loss depression, anxiety or physical complaints such as abdominal pain or headaches. 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 daily tasks. This can create an addiction and reliance that is difficult to break. Women and girls with ADHD are more likely to engage in sexual interactions with non-consensual companions during adolescence. This could be due the impulsiveness of their lives, insufficient planning, or an inability to make use of contraception. They are also more susceptible to being pushed into unintentional sexual activity and they are at a higher risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Women with ADHD who are adults can benefit from medication to manage symptoms and coping techniques. They can also get therapy on their own or in a group. They can gain a better understanding of themselves and develop a more positive internal dialogue. This can also aid in improving their relationships. Support services could also include special programs for mothers who are pregnant or with ADHD and coaching to teach them parenting skills. These programs can make it easier for women with ADHD to work, manage responsibilities at home and look after children.