ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to certain social norms as compared to males. These expectations can cause women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into consideration gender-based stereotypes hormone fluctuations, the severity of the symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and at school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might experience symptoms such as difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women have to meet, such as family and societal roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the requirements. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months before they be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, such as pretending that they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to detect in males and females. Moreover they are more likely to have a mental health issue that affects their mood and emotions, including depression or anxiety. These is often dismissed as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews and these tools tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose, because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or thinking about things. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection more than women with ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships as well as a lack of support and a lack of ability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD well into adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to hide their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can take the form of scales for rating that are biased towards male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD typically have difficulty staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They may struggle to stay focused at home or in their relationships. They might have homes that are cluttered or forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. They can become more severe, for example, during a woman’s menstrual period or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause more irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have 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 may be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may be beneficial as well. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from as well as your history of medication when deciding the best treatment plan. You may also need to change your lifestyle and undergo counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors updated on any changes you observe in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having, as they may be able to spot something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and handle household chores. adhd traits in women may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity, and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual behaviors or be victims of abuse from their partners.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medications. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these drugs aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men but they are not always diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or mask them with other conditions like depression and anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the techniques used to interview are heavily influenced by male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women consider it to be an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can offer an external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and develop life skills that will help them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies and mental health treatments is the best way for women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and establish realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women might also benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with women who are also affected by the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms don't look like those of boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet social norms. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they may prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It's crucial, in addition to self-help strategies to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and help you understand its effects on women and girls.
Women suffering from ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at an earlier age, which could put the risk of unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women with ADHD which can make it difficult for family members to understand or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. 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, like neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate moods and emotions. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a physician to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, maintaining an agenda for the day, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for work or school that can help them manage their symptoms.
It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other issues such as depression, emotional stress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies such as breathing techniques and relaxation, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.