ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by certain social norms as compared to males. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into account gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details, and working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations of being female, for example, societal demands and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated because of these challenges. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last for at least six months to qualify for a diagnosis. It's also important to know that other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they're not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible in men and boys. In addition, they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, like depression or anxiety. These is often overlooked as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviewing which are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype. this type is more difficult to recognize because it's more internallike wandering off or not being focused on tasks. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, which is 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 reactivity to real or perceived rejection more than women with ADHD. This can interfere with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and an inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers a set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that cause misdiagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD often have difficulty with attending to college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms alter at different times of life. For instance, they can get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal symptoms, when hormone changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They might be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancies because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. adhd symptoms women of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You may also have to change your lifestyle and undergo counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and informing them about any changes you observe. You can discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, because they may be able to spot things you may have missed. A diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. The symptoms can also cause feelings of low self-esteem and self-esteem, particularly as societal expectations often expect women to take care of. Additionally, due to their impulsivity, girls and women with untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence than those who do not have the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medications. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate aid in regulating brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe non-stimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective option for her.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males but they are not always diagnosed due to the way they hide their symptoms or mask them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior symptoms, so some female symptoms are misinterpreted or under-identified.
Many women consider it an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and learn life skills that will benefit them throughout their age.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the most effective way for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and establish realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the capability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Furthermore, some women could benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look the same as those of males. They may cover up their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to the norms of society. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help methods, it's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues are complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which could put the risk of unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for loved ones to understand them or support them.
The most common 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 the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. They can be adjusted by a physician to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from self-help methods such as regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for school or work that can help them manage their symptoms.
It is essential that women and girls with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other issues such as depression, emotional stress, low self-esteem and difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping techniques such as breathing and relaxation techniques, 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. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.