ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than males, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender-based stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and at school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from 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 have to meet like family and societal roles.
These challenges can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and be present for at least six months to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to understand that other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
One of the primary reasons that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They might resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they're not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible in boys and men. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as depression or anxiety, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field could also be the reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews which are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. Many women who suffer from 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 identify, since they might have difficulty focusing on tasks or daydreaming. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessment and seeking out the needed help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable response to real or perceived rejection, than women without ADHD. This can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships and an absence of support, and a reluctance for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of beliefs and practices that affect how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. This could take the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior, or due to internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing on business meetings or college lectures. They may also have difficulty staying focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have cluttered homes, forget their appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions, and may have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. They may worsen when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause more irritation. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitivities to rejection. They might be at risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancies because they have difficulty insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from and your history of medication when deciding the best treatment plan. You might also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors aware of any changes you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, because they may be able to detect things you may have missed. A diagnosis can be a powerful step in building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who aren't treated may face difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to take care of. Due to their impulsivity, and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual conduct or become victims of partner abuse.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate assist in controlling brain activity and manage symptoms. If these aren't effective or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best option for her.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a reason external for the difficulties they confront and restore their self-worth. Additionally knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will help them well into old age can boost confidence of women.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for her to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and modify negative behavior and thoughts as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Women may also benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms don't look the same as those of males. They may hide their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques It is essential to seek treatment with an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, and assist women and girls to better understand the effects.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and can develop anxiety or depression. This can be made worse due to 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. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for loved ones to understand or help them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate moods and emotions. adhd symptoms in women test can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure that they are effective throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule, or making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It's important for girls and women suffering from ADHD to find a professional and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can help with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques, including breathing techniques and relaxation to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal concept of self, which can be established at birth or by the person's behavior and appearance.