ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than males, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should consider gender-based stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and at school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or bustling environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a tougher in getting diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the requirements. weblink must be present since childhood and last for at least six months to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping mechanisms to cover up their symptoms, like pretending they are not feeling stressed or coping with symptoms that are easy to detect in males and females. Additionally they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, such as depression or anxiety, which can be dismissed as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a bias against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing, which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. adhd in adult women symptoms suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose since they might have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even daydreaming. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman More women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reactivity to rejection, whether real or perceived, than women without ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and lead to an absence of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD until they reach adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to hide their symptoms, and because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers a set of beliefs and practices that affect how healthcare professionals identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can take the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized emotions that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate in meetings at work or during college classes, and could also struggle to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have cluttered homes, forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social interactions, and may have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. They may be more severe, for example, during a woman’s menstrual period or during the time leading up to menopausal changes, which can increase the irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies when they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you suffer from and your medication history when choosing an appropriate treatment plan. You may also need to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing because they might be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can be a significant step towards 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 may also lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with medication. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and cover them with other conditions like depression or anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior, which means that women's symptoms can be incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for many women. It can provide an external explanation for the difficulties they confront and boost their self-esteem. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing they can improve symptoms and develop life skills that can benefit them into old age.
For many women, the best method of learning to manage their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet with other people who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms don't look the same as those of boys. They may cover up their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help methods to seek out the help of a medical professional who specializes in treating ADHD for females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and provide a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Females suffering from ADHD often develop anxiety and depression, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age and are at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for loved ones to comprehend or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are used to regulate moods and emotions. They can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help methods, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for school or work that can ease their symptoms.
It is essential that women and girls with ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other symptoms such as anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal concept of self, which can be given at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.