ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have different social expectations than men, and those expectations can result in shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD typically experience symptoms such as trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being a woman, such as social norms and family obligations.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed as they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last for at least six months in order to qualify as ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
One of the primary reasons women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may use coping mechanisms to hide their symptoms, for example, pretending they are not feeling stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in men and boys. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, like depression or anxiety, which is often dismissed as an ADHD sign.
Another reason that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing which are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to identify, because they may have trouble focus on work or dreaming. However, with increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking assessments and seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, either real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can cause problems in interpersonal relationships, a lack of support and an inability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability cover up their symptoms or gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to the set of practices and beliefs that affect how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD often have difficulty with focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They might have messy homes, forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is menstrual cycles or during the time leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause increased irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their romantic relationships because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social sensitive to rejection. They may be at a higher risk of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy because they have difficulty insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
A clear diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing the best treatment plan. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and undergo counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes you notice. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any issues you're experiencing, as they may be able spot something that you missed. add symptoms in adult women can be a powerful step in building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to be caregivers. In addition, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence than those who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these aren't effective or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and past medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior patterns, and as a result, certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can reduce their symptoms and build life abilities that will last throughout their lives can boost confidence in women.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health treatments is the best way for many women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can help a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to aid her in identifying and change negative thoughts and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to establish and respect 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 with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms aren't the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by implementing ways of coping that enable them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they may prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help strategies, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD among females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition as well as help women and girls better understand its effects.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and may develop anxiety or depression. These issues are complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which can put the risk of unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which makes it difficult to make their loved ones accept them or to support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. A doctor can modify the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from self-help techniques like regular exercise, maintaining an agenda for the day, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is essential for girls and women with ADHD to find a professional and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble finding or maintaining relationships, and difficulties at school or at work. They can also teach coping methods, such as breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but the gender is an internal sense of self that is established at birth or by the person's behavior and appearance.