ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by certain social norms compared to men. These expectations can cause women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should consider gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have issues such as staying organized, forgetting details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with in their families and social roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last at least six month to be considered ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other conditions and illnesses can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
One of the main reasons why women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, such as pretending they are not feeling overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easier to see in males and females. In addition they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety, which is often ignored as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could also be the reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, and these tools are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from negative self-esteem and internalized stigma and are less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose since they might have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even dreaming. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms, or because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. It can take the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior, or due to internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They may have trouble staying focused at home or in their personal relationships. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and have difficulty controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. They may worsen when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause more the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due social rejection sensitivity. They may be at a higher chance of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancies due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, such as stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you have and your medical history when deciding on the best treatment plan. You might also need counseling or changes to your lifestyle. add women can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor updated on any changes you observe in yourself. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing because they might be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be an effective step towards building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. In addition, due to their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications aren't efficient or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine the best option for her.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are heavily influenced by male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for their problems and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can manage their health and develop abilities that will last well into old age can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which can increase awareness and the capacity of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to network with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms do not look the same as those of males. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they could hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques, 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 help you understand its impacts on girls and women.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable 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 and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it hard for their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve concentration and focus by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, like neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure they are effective throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from self-help methods such as regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other issues such as depression, emotional stress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping skills, including breathing and relaxation techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.