ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subject to different expectations from society compared to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into consideration gender-based stereotypes hormone fluctuations, the severity of the symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience symptoms like difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. Symptoms must be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months before they qualify for a diagnosis. It's also important to understand that other conditions and illnesses can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
One of the biggest reasons why women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may use strategies to disguise their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more evident for both genders. Moreover they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, like anxiety or depression, which could be overlooked as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession 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 behavior and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to identify, because they may have trouble focus on work or daydreaming. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking tests and seeking out the needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reactivity to real or perceived rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and can lead to a lack of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers to the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. This can take the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD frequently have trouble attending to college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble staying on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have messy homes, forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
add in women test may also alter at different times of life. They may worsen, for example, during the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause increased irritation. Women with ADHD might also have issues in their romantic relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due social sensitive to rejection. They may be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions and medication history you may have. You may also need to alter your lifestyle and undergo counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes you notice. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you're having, as they may be able spot something that 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 suffering from ADHD who are not treated may face difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not suffer from the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't efficient or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A doctor will examine a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective method of treatment.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However, they are under-diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and conceal them with other disorders like anxiety or depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are heavily influenced by male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women find it an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Also knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will help them throughout their lives can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the most effective method to manage their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and set achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to set and adhere to personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms are not like those of males. They may mask their ADHD symptoms by implementing coping mechanisms that enable them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping strategies are both healthy and unhealthy, but they may hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is essential to seek out an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and give a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Females who suffer from ADHD often develop anxiety and depression and may struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be made worse by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood fluctuations are also common among women with ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants improve focus and attention by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can modify the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout a woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help techniques like regular exercise, maintaining an agenda for the day, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that could assist in managing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping skills such as relaxation and breathing techniques to ease symptoms and improve their 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 behaviour and appearance.