ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by a different set societal expectations as compared to males. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and at school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded areas. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last for at least six months to qualify for a diagnosis. It's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more evident in boys and men. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as depression or anxiety, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype. this type is more difficult to identify because it's more internal- such as daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on tasks. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessment and getting much-needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection more than women with ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set assumptions and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls with ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate during business meetings or college classes, and could be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have cluttered homes, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted during social interactions and have difficulty managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary at different times of life. For instance, they could worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal symptoms as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitivities to rejection. They are more likely to be pressured to engage in sexual activity or to have unplanned pregnancy if they are unable to insist 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, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing the best treatment plan. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can assist your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes you notice. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you're having because they might be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't treated may face difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in dangerous sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medications. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and control the symptoms. If they aren't efficient or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
While women and adhd are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the way they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Many women consider it to be an important moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and boost their self-esteem. Also knowing that they can reduce their symptoms and build life skills that will serve them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the most effective way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and alter negative behavior and thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms are not like those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD traits by developing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It is important, in addition to self-help strategies to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, and assist women and girls learn more about its effects.
Females suffering from ADHD often develop depression and anxiety as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD and can make it difficult for family members to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. undiagnosed adhd in women can modify these medications to ensure that 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, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is essential for girls and women with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the disorder, as they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and problems at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques such as breathing techniques and relaxation, to help reduce symptoms and improve their lives. 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.