ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by different expectations from society in comparison to men. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs hormone fluctuations, the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD may suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded settings. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet in their families and social roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult to be diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed because they don't fit the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last for at least six months in order to be considered as ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
adhd in women treatment of the main reasons women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They might resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more apparent in boys and men. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews that are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD experience an internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely 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 in women fueled by influential women and celebrities like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessment and seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived who do not have ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and lead to an absence of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of practices and beliefs that negatively influence how clinicians determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattentive ADHD typically have difficulty focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They might have homes that are cluttered and forget their appointments, or are unable to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
It is also possible that symptoms alter at different times of life. For instance, they could get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal, when hormone changes can trigger irritability as well as mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist on their partners using contraception.
A clear diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medications, including stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may be beneficial as well. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will consider any other health issues and medications you have. You may also have to alter your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes you notice. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family members and friends members, as they might be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a significant step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their home, maintaining healthy relationships, or being productive at work. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since society's expectations typically require women to take care of. Due to their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual conduct or become victims of partner abuse.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. undiagnosed adhd in women that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these drugs aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the 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 cover them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and help them regain their self-worth. Furthermore, knowing that they can manage their health and develop skills that will help them throughout their lives can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the best method of learning to deal with their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for her to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms are not like the boys. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet social norms. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help methods, to seek medical attention from a doctor that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this disorder, and help girls and women better understand its effects.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at a younger age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their loved ones to comprehend or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. They can be adjusted by a physician to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help methods, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is important that women and girls with ADHD find a clinician or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other issues such as emotional distress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged the gender is an internal sense of self that is assigned at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.