ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by a different set societal expectations as compared to males. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and at school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, forgetting details, and working in noisy or crowded settings. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they do not meet the requirements. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months before they qualify for a diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they're not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more visible in men and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing, which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type is more difficult to recognize due to its more internal naturefor example, being distracted or having difficulty staying focused on tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests 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 real or perceived rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and a failure to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and due to gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of scales for rating which are biased toward male behavior, or by internalized emotions that can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from 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 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, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change throughout the course of life. They may worsen when, for instance, it is menstrual cycles or in the period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They might be at a higher risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having pregnancies that are not planned due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Treatment, such as stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, can be helpful too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will consider any other health conditions or medications you have. You might also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes you notice. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having as they might be able to spot something you did not notice. adhd in women adult can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since society's expectations typically 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 risky sexual behavior or become victims of partner abuse.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these medications are not efficient or appropriate, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the most effective method of treatment.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other conditions like depression and anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, certain female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for the struggles they face and help them regain their self-worth. Also, 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 best method to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Some women might benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often remain undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms aren't like boys. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking a diagnosis.
It is important as well as self-help methods to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and help you understand its effects on women and girls.
Females with ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD, which can make it difficult for loved ones to understand or support them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure that they work throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help methods, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other symptoms such as anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulty making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping skills such as breathing techniques and relaxation to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.