ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by different expectations from society in comparison to men. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender-based stereotypes, hormonal changes and the severity of symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with like family and societal roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a tougher to be diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms and this is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in males and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as depression or anxiety, which could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a bias against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviewing which are biased towards male behaviour and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or daydreaming. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and lead to an absence of support networks and the inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have cluttered homes and forget their appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary throughout the course of life. For instance, they can be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or in the run-up to menopausal symptoms which can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions or medication history you may have. You may also need to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can help your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and informing them about any changes you observe. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your family members and friends members, because they may be able to spot things you may have missed. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. add in adult women can also trigger feelings of self-esteem issues or shame, especially since women are often expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their impulsivity, girls and women with untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky actions 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. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A doctor will examine a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and mask them as other illnesses like depression or anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a reason external for the difficulties they confront and restore their self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can manage their health and develop abilities that will last throughout their lives can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the most effective method of learning to manage their ADHD is through the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and set realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which can increase awareness and the capacity of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Some women might also benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms don't look like those of males. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to conform to societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
It is important as well as self-help strategies to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and help you understand its effects on girls and women.
Females suffering from ADHD tend to develop depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at a young age and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it hard to make their loved ones understand them or support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can help improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure they are effective throughout a woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from self-help techniques such as regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for school or work that could help them manage their symptoms.
It is important that women and girls with ADHD find a clinician or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other issues such as anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulty making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies like breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged the gender is an internal sense of self that is given at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.