ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty staying organized, forgetting details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded areas. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being female, for example, the demands of society and family roles.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult time getting diagnosed and treated because of these challenges. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at minimum six months in order to be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the biggest reasons that women with ADHD aren't diagnosed is because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, such as pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easier to detect in males and boys. Additionally they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety. These could be dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviewing which are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Many women with 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 identify, as they may have difficulty focusing on tasks or dreaming. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity - an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, either real or perceived who do not have ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships, a lack of support and a lack of ability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their ability to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias is a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls suffering from ADHD. This could be in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may also have difficulty staying on track in their private relationships or at home. They might have messy homes or forget appointments, and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also be different throughout the course of life. For instance, they could get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopause as hormonal changes can cause increased irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also have issues in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be at risk of being pushed into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
A clear diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be beneficial. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions or medications you have. You might also need counseling or lifestyle changes. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your family and friends members, as they could be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since the norms of society often require women to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual conduct or become victims of partner abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated with medications. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A doctor will examine a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective option for her.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men but they are not always diagnosed due to the way they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other conditions like depression and anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior, which means that some female symptoms are misinterpreted or under-identified.
Many women consider it to be an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and restore their self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing they can improve symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them throughout their age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the best way for many women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can help women build coping strategies and establish realistic goals for her to achieve in each area of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her recognize and alter negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves awareness and the capacity of setting and observing personal boundaries. Some women may also benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with women who have a similar condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look like the boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's crucial as well as self-help techniques to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. adhd in adult women treatment can diagnose and treat this disorder, and assist women and girls to better understand the effects.
Women suffering from ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. This can be exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age which puts them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it difficult to make their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can increase focus and attention. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like 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 inquire about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist with experience with the condition, as they can help with a range of symptoms, such as emotional stress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping methods, such as breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged that gender is an internal concept of self, which can be assigned at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.