ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into consideration gender stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being a woman, such as social norms and family obligations.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult time getting diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and be present for at least six month to be considered as ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example, they might pretend that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more visible for both genders. In addition they are more likely to suffer from a mental health issue that affects their mood and emotions, including anxiety or depression, which can be overlooked as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews and these tools are biased toward male behavior and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose, as they may have difficulty focus on work or thinking about things. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity which is a strong sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived who do not have ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships with others as well as an absence of support, and a lack of ability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, and because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers a set of practices and beliefs that negatively influence how clinicians diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. This could be in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that lead to confusion in diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing during business meetings or college lectures, and may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have cluttered homes, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms change during different stages of life. For instance, they can worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopause as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They are more likely to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Treatment, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you suffer from as well as your medication history when choosing the best treatment plan. You may also have to alter your lifestyle and undergo counseling. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctor updated on any changes you observe in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you're having, as they may be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to take care of. Additionally, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help regulate brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate medical professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, requirements and past medical history to determine the best course of treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or mask them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. In addition, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Many women find it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and restore their sense of self-worth. attention deficit disorder in women can be improved by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and develop life skills that will help them well into their old age.
For many women, the most effective method of learning to cope with their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for her to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and change negative attitudes and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a lengthy period because their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help methods It is essential to seek out an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and assist women and girls better understand its effects.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. These issues are complicated by their tendency to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which can make it difficult for their loved ones understand them or support them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a physician to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help techniques such as regular exercise, keeping an ongoing schedule, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential for girls and women with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, since they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, such as emotional stress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques such as relaxation and breathing techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.