ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD have different social expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often have symptoms like trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or bustling environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, societal demands and family roles.
Women with ADHD might have a tougher in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at minimum six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the biggest reasons women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more apparent for both genders. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a bias against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews which tend to favor male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD experience internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, as they may have difficulty focusing on tasks or dreaming. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable response to perceived or real rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can affect relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. adhd in adult women test of gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of beliefs and practices that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with focusing in college lectures or business meetings, and they might have difficulty staying on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have cluttered homes, forget their appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also alter at different times of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause more irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be more prone to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or to have unplanned pregnancy when they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could be beneficial as well. When choosing a treatment your doctor will consider any other health conditions and the history of medications you've had. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and seek counseling. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your family and friends members, because they may be able to identify things that you might miss. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since the norms of society often require women to be caretakers. Additionally, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medication. Stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and manage symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and mask them with other conditions like depression or anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a reason external for the difficulties they confront and boost their self-esteem. Also, knowing that they can reduce their condition and develop life skills that will serve them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health treatments is the most effective way for many women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the capability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet with other people who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms do not look the same as the boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to the norms of society. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to seek treatment with an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and help girls and women learn more about its consequences.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. This can be made worse by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years and are at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it difficult to make their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate emotions and moods. They can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help strategies, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other symptoms, such as emotional distress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping techniques that include breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.