ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender-based stereotypes, hormonal changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often have symptoms like difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or bustling environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being female, such as social norms and family obligations.
Women with ADHD may have a harder time getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months to be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the main reasons that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They might resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they might claim that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more evident in men and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression. These can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma which makes them less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose, since they might have difficulty focusing on tasks or thinking about things. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests and seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity to rejection which is an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of beliefs and practices that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that can lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing during business meetings or college lectures. They may also struggle to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when facing rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms change at different stages of life. For instance, they can worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopause, when hormone changes can trigger irritability as well as mood swings. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They may be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancies because they are unable to insist that their partners make use of contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Treatment, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When choosing a treatment your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions or medications you have. You may also have to alter your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having because they might be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can be a powerful way to build self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and handle household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to be caretakers. In addition, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with medication. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, requirements and past medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and conceal them with other disorders like anxiety or depression. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for a lot of women. adhd in adult women can offer an external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Also knowing that they can manage their condition and develop life skills that will serve them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies for coping and achieve realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often remain undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms don't look like boys. They can disguise their ADHD symptoms by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques It is important to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this disorder, and assist women and girls better understand its effects.
Females suffering from ADHD tend to develop depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which can put the risk of unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD which can make it difficult for family members to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants improve focus and attention by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the woman's lifetime.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from self-help methods such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule, or setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that can ease their symptoms.
It's important for girls and women with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the condition, as they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties making or maintaining relationships and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping strategies, including breathing and relaxation techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal perception of self that is given at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.