ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are governed by different expectations from society in comparison to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into consideration gender constructs as well as hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or bustling environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with, such as family and societal roles.
These issues 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 meet the criteria. Symptoms must be present since childhood, and they should last for at least six months before they be eligible for a diagnosis. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are 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. adhd symptoms in women adults may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easy to see in males and females. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression. These could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women with ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or an evaluation for their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or thinking about things. However, with increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by high-profile women and influencers such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking tests and getting much-needed assistance.
Women with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, either real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships and the lack of support and a lack of ability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. This could be in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing in meetings at work or during college classes, and could 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 in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also alter at different times of life. They can become more severe when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or in the lead-up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can increase irritation. Women with ADHD may also have issues in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be at risk of being pressured into sexual activity and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
A clear diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, for example, stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you have and your medical history when deciding on a treatment plan. You might also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctors aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing, as they may be able to spot something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may face difficulties managing their household and maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medications. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best course of treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior symptoms, so women's symptoms can be misinterpreted or under-identified.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a rationale for the challenges they face and help them regain their self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and develop life skills that can benefit them throughout their age.
For many women, the most effective method to cope with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. 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 accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases awareness and the capacity of setting and observing personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet with other people who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms do not look like the boys. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies are both healthy and unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
It's important as well as self-help strategies, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition and assist women and girls learn more about its consequences.
Females with ADHD often develop anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues are complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which puts them at risk of having unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood fluctuations are also common among women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for loved ones to comprehend or support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can increase attention and focus. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure that they are effective throughout the course of a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can aid in easing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other issues such as emotional distress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping skills, including relaxation and breathing techniques to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.