ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD have a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD often have symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women face in their families and social roles.
These challenges 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 fit the requirements. Symptoms must be present since childhood, and they should last for at minimum six months in order to qualify for a diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the biggest reasons that women with ADHD aren't diagnosed is because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may use strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more visible for both genders. Additionally, they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety. These can be dismissed as an ADHD sign.
Another reason women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews, and these tools are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from an internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose as they may have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even thinking about things. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by high-profile women and influencers like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reaction to real or perceived rejection more than women with ADHD. This can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships, an absence of support, and an inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to an array of beliefs and practices that can negatively impact how doctors identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of ratings scales which are biased toward male behavior, or due to internalized emotions that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD frequently have trouble focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They might have difficulty staying on track at home or in their personal relationships. They may have messy homes or forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also be different at different times of life. For example, they may get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopause as hormonal changes can trigger irritability as well as mood swings. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due social rejection sensitivity. They may be at risk of being pushed into sexual activity and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they have difficulty insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
Getting women and adhd is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medications, including stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health issues and medication history you may have. You might also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes you observe. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing because they might be able to spot something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a significant way to build confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are often 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 risky sexual conduct or become victims of abuse by their partners.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines assist in controlling brain activity and manage symptoms. If these drugs aren't efficient or appropriate healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the best course of action.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed due to the way they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior symptoms, so women's symptoms can be not recognized or understood.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a rationale for the challenges they face and help them regain their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and develop life skills that will help them well into their old age.
For many women, the best method of learning to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Women may also benefit by joining an ADHD support group to connect with other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but they could prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
In addition to self-help methods It is important to seek treatment with an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD which can make it difficult for loved ones to comprehend or support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help methods, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for school or work that could alleviate their symptoms.
It is crucial for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, since they can help with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble finding or maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes, but the gender is an internal perception of self, which can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.