ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subjected to 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 changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD often experience symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or bustling environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet, such as family and social roles.
These challenges can make it more difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they don't meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months 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.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to cover up their symptoms, like pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in males and females. Additionally, they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, like depression or anxiety. These can be overlooked as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason 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 rating scales and interviews, and these tools are biased toward male behaviors and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or an evaluation for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose since they might have difficulty focusing on tasks or dreaming. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection - an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived - than women who do not have ADHD. This can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships as well as an absence of support, and a lack of ability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that negatively affect how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that can lead to confusion in diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing during business meetings or college classes, and could be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. adhd in women signs might have homes that are cluttered and forget their appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
It is also possible that symptoms change at different stages of life. For example, they may be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal symptoms as hormonal changes can trigger irritability as well as mood swings. Women with ADHD may also have issues in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy because they have difficulty insisting that their partners use contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medications, including stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and medications you have. You might also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes you observe in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you are having as they might be able spot something that you missed. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to take care of. Because of their impulsivity and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual behaviors or be victims of abuse by their partners.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best course of treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other conditions like depression and anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and restore their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and learn life skills that will help them throughout their age.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the best method for women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which can increase awareness and the capacity to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Furthermore, some women could benefit from finding an ADHD support group to meet with other people who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms don't look like those of males. They may mask their ADHD characteristics by implementing coping mechanisms that enable them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's important in addition to self-help methods, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and help girls and women to better understand the effects.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and develop anxiety or depression. This can be exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age which puts them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it difficult for their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are used to regulate moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they are effective throughout a woman's lifetime.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help techniques, including regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that can help them manage their symptoms.
It's important for girls and women with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the disorder, as they can help with a myriad of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty in maintaining relationships, and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping strategies, such as breathing and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.