ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They may 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 with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last at least six months to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions may cause similar symptoms to ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
One of the biggest reasons that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more apparent in boys and men. Moreover, they are more likely to suffer from mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, such as depression or anxiety. These could be ignored as an ADHD sign.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a bias against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, and these tools are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to recognize due to its more internal naturefor example, daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessment and seeking out the needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity to rejection which is an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, either real or perceived - than those who do not have ADHD. This can cause issues in interpersonal relationships as well as an absence of support, and a reluctance for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. It can be in form in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized emotions that cause misdiagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD frequently have trouble staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they might have difficulty staying on track at home or in their relationships. adhd in adult women might have cluttered homes, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
It is also possible that symptoms change at different stages of life. For example, they may worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopausal which can trigger irritability as well as mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships with partners because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pushed into sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies if they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions or the history of medications you've had. You might also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your physician informed about any changes you notice in yourself. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having because they might be able spot something that you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be an effective step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are frequently expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in dangerous sexual actions or being victims of intimate partner violence than those who do not have the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males but they are not always diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior symptoms, so certain female symptoms are misinterpreted or under-identified.
Many women find it an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can offer an external explanation for their problems and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them into old age.
For many women, the best way to learn how to manage their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and establish realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and change negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms do not look the same as those of males. They can disguise their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's crucial, in addition to self-help strategies to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Females with ADHD tend to develop depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities in their early years, putting them at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD which can make it difficult for their loved ones to comprehend or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help methods, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other symptoms, such as depression, emotional stress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include relaxation and breathing techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal concept of self, which can be established at birth or by the person's behavior and appearance.