ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subject to certain social norms compared to men. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded settings. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women have to meet in their families and societal roles.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated due to these challenges. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed since they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must last at least six months to be considered as ADHD. It's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
One of the biggest reasons women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, for example, pretending they are not feeling stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to spot in both men and boys. In addition they are more likely to suffer from mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, like anxiety or depression, which is often ignored as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field could be another reason why women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type is more difficult to diagnose because it's more internallike daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on tasks. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is an intense, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than women who do not have ADHD. This can affect relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of beliefs and practices that negatively influence how clinicians identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can be in the form of rating scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or due to internalized emotions that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD frequently have trouble attending to college lectures or business meetings. They may have trouble staying on task at home or in their relationships. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when facing rejection or failure.
Symptoms may also change during different stages of life. They may worsen, for example, during menstrual cycles or in the lead-up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause increased the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues in their relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitive to rejection. They may be more likely to be pressured to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies when they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may also be beneficial. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from as well as your history of medication when deciding a treatment plan. You may also need to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can aid your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. You can discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they might be able to identify things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since the norms of society often require women to take care of. Additionally, due to their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual actions or being victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who do not have the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with medications. Stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate help regulate brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate medical professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best method of treatment.
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 anxiety or depression. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a reason external for the challenges they face and restore their self-worth. high functioning adhd in women can be boosted by knowing they can improve symptoms and develop life skills that can benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies 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 achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her recognize and alter negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may also benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to meet women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms don't appear like boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by implementing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but can prevent women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's crucial, in addition to self-help techniques to seek out medical attention from a doctor who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain relationships. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at an earlier age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD, which can make it difficult for their family members to understand or support them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can increase focus and attention. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help techniques such as regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential that women and girls with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other issues such as depression, emotional stress, low self-esteem and difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.