ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD have different social expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender-based stereotypes hormone fluctuations, the severity of the symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded settings. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, for example, the demands of society and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated because of these challenges. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed since they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must last at least six months to be considered ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the biggest reasons why 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 pretend that they're not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more evident for both genders. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety. These is often overlooked as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field could also be the reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviewing that are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD experience negative self-esteem and internalized stigma and are less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, because they may have trouble focus on work or thinking about things. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived who do not suffer from ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships with others as well as a lack of support and a lack of ability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify girls and women with ADHD. This can be in the form of ratings scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattentive ADHD frequently have trouble focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may have trouble staying focused at home or in their personal relationships. They may have cluttered homes or forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. adhd in adult women symptoms might be easily distracted in social gatherings and have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change throughout the course of life. They may be more severe in the course of menstrual cycles or in the lead-up to menopausal changes, which can increase irritation. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medications, including stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be helpful. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions or the history of medications you've had. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes you observe. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any issues you're having, as they may be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence than those who don't suffer from the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these drugs aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the most effective treatment is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. In addition, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior symptoms, so women's symptoms can be misinterpreted or under-identified.
Many women consider it to be a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a reason external for the challenges they face and boost their self-esteem. Additionally knowing that they can improve their health and develop skills that will help them for a long time can boost confidence in women.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the most effective way for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and alter negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often go undiagnosed for a lengthy period, as their symptoms don't appear like those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing coping mechanisms that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies of coping can be both healthy and unhealthy, but they could hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies, it's important to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and may develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be further complicated by their tendency to be sexually active at a younger age, which could put the risk of unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for their loved ones accept them or to support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help methods, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at work or school that can ease their symptoms.
It is crucial for women and girls with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can help with a range of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble in maintaining relationships, and problems at school or at work. They can also teach coping skills such as breathing and relaxation techniques to 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 concept of self, which can be established at birth or by a person's behavior and appearance.