ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to different expectations from society compared to men. These expectations can cause people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
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 might have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face, such as family and societal roles.
These issues can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must last for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, for example, pretending they are not feeling overwhelmed or over-compensating for 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. These is often ignored as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a bias against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews, and these tools are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
adhd symptoms women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type is more difficult to identify because it's more internal -like daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influential women and celebrities, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessment and seeking out the needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to real or perceived rejection, than women without ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of rating scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing during business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have cluttered homes and forget their appointments, or are unable to pay their bills on time. They might be easily distracted in social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change in different seasons of life. For instance, they could be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the lead-up to menopause as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood swings. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They may be more likely to be pushed into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy in the event that they are unable insist on their partners using contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medications, including stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may be beneficial as well. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will consider any other health issues and medication history you may have. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your physician informed about any changes you notice in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you're having, as they may be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can be a powerful step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors or be victims of partner abuse.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by medication. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't efficient or appropriate medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed due to the fact that they hide their symptoms and conceal them with other conditions like depression or anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior patterns, and as a result, some female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for many women. It can offer an external explanation for their difficulties and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will help them well into old age can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the best method for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can assist a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to network with women who have a similar condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a long time, as their symptoms aren't like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they may prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It is important, in addition to self-help strategies to seek out medical attention from a doctor who specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and provide a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and may develop depression or anxiety. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it hard to make their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can increase attention and focus. Antidepressants alter the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure they're effective throughout a woman's lifetime.
Girls and women with ADHD may benefit from self-help techniques like regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, creating reminders or 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 suffering from ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other symptoms, such as emotional distress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping techniques such as relaxation and breathing techniques, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes chromosomes and hormones, but that gender is an internal sense of self that can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.