ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subject to a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often experience symptoms like trouble staying organized, trouble recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or bustling environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face like family and social roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a tougher time getting diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be 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 as well, such as stress and certain medications.
One of the main reasons why women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, such as pretending they are not feeling stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to detect in men and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could also be the reason why women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews that tend to favor male behavior and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
adult adhd in women who are not attentive can be more difficult to identify, since they might have difficulty focus on work or dreaming. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is a strong sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived without ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and lead to a lack of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of practices and beliefs that negatively influence how clinicians determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can be in the form of ratings scales which are biased toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD frequently have trouble attending to college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay focused at home or in their personal relationships. They may have cluttered homes, forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms change during different stages of life. They may be more severe, for example, during the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause more the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulties in their romantic relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitive to rejection. They may be more at chance of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancy because they have difficulty insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions or the history of medications you've had. You might also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your physician informed about any changes you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, as they might be able to spot things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be an effective step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their household and maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and shame, particularly since society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone of engaging in sexually risky behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not have the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the best method of treatment.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the ways they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior symptoms, so certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Additionally, knowing that they can reduce their health and develop skills that will serve them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the best method of learning to manage their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can assist a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time, as their symptoms don't look the same as in boys. They can disguise their ADHD symptoms by implementing strategies to cope that enable them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but can prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques, it's important to seek treatment with an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and give a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to become sexually active at a younger age, which puts them at risk of having unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a physician to ensure that they are effective throughout the woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that could alleviate their symptoms.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who has experience with the condition, since they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty finding or maintaining relationships, and problems at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques, including relaxation and breathing techniques, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.