ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women face in their families and social roles.
women and adhd with ADHD might have a tougher to be diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't fit the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must be present for at least six month to qualify as ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to cover up their symptoms, such as pretending that they aren't overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easy to detect in men and boys. Moreover they are more likely to have a mental health issue that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety, which is often dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a bias against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews, and these tools are biased toward male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify due to its more internal nature- such as wandering off or not being focused on tasks. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to perceived or real rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. adhd in older women can cause problems with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to hide their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify women and girls with ADHD. This could take the form of rating scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattentive ADHD frequently have trouble staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They might have difficulty staying on track at home or in their relationships. They might have cluttered homes and forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They might be easily distracted in social interactions and have difficulty controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. For instance, they could be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or in the run-up to menopause, when hormone changes can cause increased irritability and mood swings. women and adhd with ADHD might also have difficulties in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitive to rejection. They may be more likely 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 crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could be beneficial as well. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you have and your medical history when deciding on an appropriate treatment plan. You might also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you are having, as they may be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated by medication. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best course of treatment is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or mask them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and help them regain their self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and learn life skills that will help them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the best way for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing coping strategies and set achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and alter negative thoughts and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and adhere to personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to meet women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms do not look the same as those of boys. They may cover up their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet social norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help methods to seek treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, and assist women and girls to better understand the effects.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and may develop anxiety or depression. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which can make it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants boost the amount of signals sent to the brain, which may improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can modify the dosage of these medications to ensure they are effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help techniques, including regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can aid in easing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help 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 techniques and relaxation to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.