ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to a different set societal expectations compared to men. These expectations can lead people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender-based stereotypes, hormonal changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, 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 may have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with in their families and societal roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the requirements. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last for at least six months before they qualify for a diagnosis. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the main reasons women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to cover up their symptoms, for example, trying to pretend they aren't overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easier to spot in both males and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder in the medical field. This Webpage of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD experience an internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose since they might have difficulty focusing on tasks or daydreaming. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to an absence of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms and gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of beliefs and practices that affect how healthcare professionals identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD typically have difficulty focusing in college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble staying focused at home or in their relationships. They might have homes that are cluttered or forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted during social interactions, and may have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also alter at different times of life. For example, they may worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopause as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more at risk of being pushed into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancies 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 medications, including stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be beneficial. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You may also need to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and informing them about any changes you observe. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you're having as they might be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulties managing their household or maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since societal expectations often expect women to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity, and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual conduct or become victims of abuse from their partners.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these medications are not suitable or effective healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they tend to hide their symptoms and mask them with other disorders like depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can offer an external explanation for their difficulties and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing they can improve symptoms and develop life skills that will benefit them well into their old age.
For many women, the best method of learning to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to aid her in identifying and alter negative behavior and thoughts as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and adhere to personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms do not look the same as those of males. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing ways of coping that enable them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
It's important, in addition to self-help techniques to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Females with ADHD often develop depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be made worse by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years which puts them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants boost the amount of signals sent to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are used to regulate emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a physician to ensure that they are effective throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at work or school.
It's important for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can help with a myriad of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties finding or maintaining relationships, and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing and relaxation techniques, to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes, but the gender is an internal sense of self that is established at birth or by a person's behavior and appearance.