ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have different social expectations than men, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD might have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women have to meet in their families and social roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult to be diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed as they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last at least six months in order to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
Women with ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping mechanisms to cover up their symptoms, such as trying to pretend they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easier to detect in males and females. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like depression or anxiety, which could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could also be the reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews and these tools are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype. this type is more difficult to recognize due to its more internal nature- such as being distracted or having difficulty staying focused on their tasks. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived, than women without ADHD. This can interfere with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD throughout their adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers an array of practices and beliefs that negatively influence how clinicians identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that can lead to confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing during business meetings or college classes, and could be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have messy homes, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. For instance, they could be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or in the run-up to menopausal which can cause increased irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their romantic relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due social sensitive to rejection. They may be more likely to be pressured into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medications, including stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may also be helpful. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health issues and medication history you may have. You might also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes you observe in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family members and friends members, as they could be able to spot things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a significant step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and handle household chores. The symptoms can also trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated by medication. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best course of treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and cover them with other conditions like anxiety or depression. In addition, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, women's symptoms can be not recognized or understood.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can manage their health and develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the best way to learn how to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, and dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet with other people who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms aren't the same as in boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking the diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is essential to consult an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls to better understand the consequences.
Females who suffer from ADHD often develop anxiety and depression, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. These issues are complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for family members to understand or support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. add in women test speed up signals sent to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure that they work throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for work or school that can ease their symptoms.
It's important for girls and women suffering from ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who has experience with the disorder, as they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, such as emotional stress and low self-esteem, difficulty in maintaining relationships, and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping methods like breathing and relaxation techniques, to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.