ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to different social expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD often have symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with in their families and social roles.
These issues can make it difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must be present for at least six months to be considered ADHD. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons why women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may use coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, for example, trying to pretend they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to detect in males and boys. Moreover they are more likely to suffer from mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, like anxiety or depression, which can be overlooked as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or dreaming. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and can lead to an absence of support networks and a failure to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers an array of beliefs and practices that negatively influence how clinicians identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior, or by internalized feelings that can lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing on business meetings or college classes, and could also have difficulty staying on track in their private relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and fail to pay bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly 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 period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause more irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They may be at risk of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancies because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. When choosing a treatment your doctor will consider any other health conditions or medication history you may have. You may also have to alter your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you're having because they might be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulties managing their household or maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since societal expectations often expect women to be caretakers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk of engaging in sexually risky behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not suffer from the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the most effective treatment is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or mask them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Furthermore, knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will serve them for a long time can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the most effective way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can help a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to aid her in identifying and change negative behavior and thoughts as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may also benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms do not look the same as the boys. add symptoms in adult women can disguise their ADHD symptoms by implementing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to consult an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this disorder, and help girls and women better understand its consequences.
Females who suffer from ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at an early age, putting them at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it hard for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure that they're effective 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 making a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other issues such as anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.