ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to a different set societal expectations compared to men. These expectations can cause people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment should take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details, and working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, social norms and family obligations.
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 do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood, and they must last at least six months before they qualify for a diagnosis. 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.
Women with ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms and this is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, like pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in males and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD are underdiagnosed may be 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 toward male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, adhd symptoms in adult women with ADHD are afflicted with internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose, since they might have difficulty focusing on tasks or daydreaming. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman More women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to real or perceived rejection more than women with ADHD. This can interfere with relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and an inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. add symptoms in adult women could be in form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattentive ADHD typically have difficulty attending to college lectures or business meetings, and they may struggle to stay focused at home or in their personal relationships. They may have cluttered homes or forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social interactions and have difficulty controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. They can become more severe, for example, during menstrual cycles or during the time leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased irritation. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have issues in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They may be more likely to be pushed into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy when they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, can be helpful too. Your doctor will consider any other health conditions you have and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and undergo counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes you observe. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any issues you're experiencing as they might be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors or be victims of abuse from their partners.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's symptoms, needs and past medical history to determine the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However, they are under-diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and conceal them with other disorders like depression or anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Furthermore knowing that signs and symptoms of adhd in women can manage their condition and develop life skills that will serve them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the most effective way to learn how to deal with their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and establish realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the capability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms do not look the same as those of boys. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
It is important as well as self-help methods to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Females suffering from ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at a younger age, which could put them at risk for unwanted sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD and can make it difficult for loved ones to comprehend or support them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which may improve attention and focus. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure they are effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help methods, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It's important for women and girls with ADHD to find a professional and therapist who has experience with the condition, since they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping skills such as breathing techniques and relaxation, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal perception of self, which can be established at birth or by a person's behavior and appearance.