ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender constructs as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet, such as family and social roles.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed since they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must be present for at least six month to qualify as ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For instance, they might pretend that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more apparent for both genders. Moreover they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, including anxiety or depression, which could be ignored as an ADHD symptom.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession may also be a reason why women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Many women with 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 diagnose because they may have trouble working or focusing on their tasks, or even daydreaming. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled 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 have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection which is an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those who do not suffer from ADHD. This can cause problems in interpersonal relationships, the lack of support and an inability for women to ask for assistance.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD well into adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. This could take the form of rating scales which are biased toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD frequently have trouble focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have messy homes, forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change at different stages of life. They may be more severe in the course of a woman’s menstrual period or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can increase irritability. Women with ADHD might also have issues in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They are more likely to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies when they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine can help too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and the history of medications you've had. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can help your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and informing them about any changes that you notice. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing because they might be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a powerful step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their household and maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and shame, particularly since society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. In undiagnosed adhd in women , due to their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these aren't effective or appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, requirements and history to determine what the best course of treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and mask them with other disorders such as depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for many women. It can provide an external explanation for their difficulties and restore their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them into old age.
For many women, the most effective method of learning to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and achieve achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and alter negative attitudes and behaviors as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time, as their symptoms aren't like boys. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These coping strategies can be both healthy and unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help strategies to seek the help of a medical professional that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition and help you understand its effects on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be made worse due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at an early age, putting them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it difficult for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure that they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble in maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques that include 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, but that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.