ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subjected to different expectations from society in comparison to men. These expectations can lead them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women face in their families and social roles.
These issues can make it harder for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must last at least six months in order to be considered as ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed is because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to cover up their symptoms, such as pretending that they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to detect in men and boys. signs of adhd in women are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community could also be the reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviews, which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD experience an internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focus on work or thinking about things. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by high-profile women and influencers like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests and seeking out the needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reaction to real or perceived rejection more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in the absence of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. This could take the form of ratings scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or by internalized emotions that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures. They may also struggle to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They might have cluttered homes and forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change in different seasons of life. They may worsen when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social sensitivities to rejection. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist on their partners using contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions and medications you have. You might also need counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your physician aware of any changes you observe in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having because they might be able spot something that you missed. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. The symptoms can also trigger feelings of low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, due to their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not suitable or effective medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best option for her.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men but they are not always diagnosed due to the ways they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, some female symptoms are misinterpreted or under-identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for their problems and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and acquire life skills that will help them well into their old age.
For many women, the best method of learning to manage their ADHD is through the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for her to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and modify negative behavior and thoughts and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time since their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that enable them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to seek treatment with a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this disorder, and help girls and women better understand its effects.
Females suffering from ADHD tend to develop depression and anxiety as well as struggle to maintain relationships. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at an early age which puts them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which makes it difficult to make their loved ones understand them or support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants boost the amount of signals sent to the brain, which can improve attention and focus. Antidepressants alter the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, maintaining an agenda for the day, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that could alleviate their symptoms.
It is essential that girls and women with ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other issues such as emotional distress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping techniques that include breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as chromosomes and hormones, but the gender is an internal sense of self that is given at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.