ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to a different set societal expectations in comparison to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender-based stereotypes, hormonal changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and at school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details, and working in noisy or crowded areas. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, for example, social norms and family obligations.
Women with ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated because of these issues. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last at least six months to qualify as ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms, such as pretending they are not feeling stressed or coping with symptoms that are easy to detect in males and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like depression or anxiety, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women with ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviewing that are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focus on work or thinking about things. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking assessment and getting much-needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reactivity to rejection, whether real or perceived as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with 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 could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can be in form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that can lead to confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They might have homes that are cluttered or forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They might be easily distracted in social interactions and have difficulty controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change throughout the course of life. For instance, they could be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or in the run-up to menopause as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be more prone to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When deciding on adhd in women adult , your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions or medications you have. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having, as they may be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors or be victims of partner abuse.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with medications. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these aren't effective or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best method of treatment.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they tend to hide their symptoms and mask them as other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that women's symptoms can be misinterpreted or under-identified.
Receiving a diagnosis of 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. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and learn life skills that will benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies and mental health therapies is the best method for women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals that she can succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the ability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a long time, as their symptoms aren't like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but can prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help strategies to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition and assist women and girls to better understand the effects.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and may develop depression or anxiety. This can be made worse by 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 who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which makes it difficult for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, like neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate moods and emotions. They can be adjusted by a physician to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help methods such as regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at work or school.
It's important for girls and women with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who is experienced with the disorder, as they can assist with a range of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty finding or maintaining relationships, and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques, including relaxation and breathing techniques, to help reduce symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.