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 women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs hormone fluctuations, the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face, such as family and societal roles.
These challenges can make it more difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and be present for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women with 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 coping strategies to cover up their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to spot in both males and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD experience negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype. this type of ADHD can be difficult to identify because it's more internal- such as wandering off or not being focused on their tasks. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by high-profile women and influencers, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to perceived or real rejection, than women without ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, and due to gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers a set of beliefs and practices that affect how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized emotions that cause confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing during business meetings or college lectures. They may also have difficulty staying on track in their private relationships or at home. They might have homes that are cluttered, forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions, and may have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also be different at different times of life. They can become more severe in the course of a woman’s menstrual period or during the time leading up to menopausal changes, which can increase the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be more at risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancies because they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, for example, stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, can be helpful too. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you have and your medication history when choosing an appropriate treatment plan. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you observe. You can also discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they could be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a powerful way to build 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, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. The symptoms can also trigger feelings of low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual conduct or become victims of abuse from their partners.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. The stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't efficient or appropriate, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, needs and past medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and mask them with other disorders like anxiety or depression. The scales of rating for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for the difficulties they confront and help them regain their self-worth. Additionally knowing that they can manage their condition and develop life abilities that will last for a long time can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the best way to learn how to deal with their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and set realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which improves awareness and the capacity to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group to meet women who have a similar condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms are not like those of boys. They may mask their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that allow them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping strategies are both healthy and unhealthy, but they could hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques, it's important to seek treatment with a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and help you understand its impacts on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD often develop depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at an early age and are at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it difficult to make their loved ones accept them or to support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate emotions and moods. adhd in adult women treatment can alter these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from self-help techniques like regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that could help them manage their symptoms.
It is essential for girls and women with ADHD to find a professional and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty in maintaining relationships, and problems at school or at work. They can also teach coping strategies, such as breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and enhance the quality of life. 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.