ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to different social expectations than men, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment should consider gender constructs, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations of being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
Women with ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last for at minimum six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more apparent for both genders. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, including depression or anxiety. These is often ignored as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason women with ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews, and these tools tend to favor 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 evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to identify, as they may have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even thinking about things. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influential women and celebrities, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests and seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived - than women who do not suffer from ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to an absence of support networks and a failure to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may also have difficulty staying focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have cluttered homes and forget their appointments, or fail to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted during social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary throughout the course of life. They can become more severe, for example, during a woman’s menstrual period or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can increase irritability. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due social sensitivities to rejection. They may be more likely to be pressured into sexual activity or to have unplanned pregnancy when they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
A clear diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may also be helpful. When choosing a treatment your doctor will consider any other health conditions or medications you have. You might also need counseling and lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having because they might be able spot something that you missed. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their household, maintaining healthy relationships, or performing well at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of partner abuse.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and cover them with other conditions such as depression or anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. adhd traits in women can offer an external explanation for their difficulties and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and develop life skills that will benefit them well into their old age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the most effective way for women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the ability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look like the boys. They may conceal their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to conform to social norms. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
In addition to self-help techniques, it's important to consult an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this disorder, and help girls and women better understand its effects.
Females with ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues are complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood fluctuations are also common among women with ADHD, which can make it difficult for loved ones to understand or support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a physician to ensure that they are effective throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help techniques, including regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for work or school that can alleviate their symptoms.
It's important for women and girls with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the condition, as they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble in maintaining relationships, and problems at work or in school. They can also teach coping methods, such as breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.