ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD have different social expectations than men, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and in school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering 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 face like family and social roles.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed since they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must be present for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They might resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example they might claim that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible for both genders. In addition they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, such as depression or anxiety, which is often dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason for why women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviews which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or an evaluation for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type is more difficult to recognize due to its more internal naturelike daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on tasks. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and a failure to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD well into adulthood. add test for women may be because of their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. It can take the form of rating scales which are biased toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate during business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. They can become more severe when, for instance, it is a woman’s menstrual period or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause increased irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more at chance of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your history of medication when deciding a treatment plan. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctor aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your friends and family members, because they may be able to spot things that you're not aware of. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their household or maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and shame, particularly since the norms of society often require women to take care of. In addition, because of their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines assist in controlling brain activity and manage symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the most effective treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, women's symptoms can be not recognized or understood.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide a reason external for the difficulties they confront and help them regain their self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health treatments is the best way for women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop coping strategies and set realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and alter negative attitudes and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to network with other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms don't look like boys. They may mask their ADHD symptoms by implementing strategies to cope that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they may stop women from seeking treatment.
It's crucial in addition to self-help strategies to seek out treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD among females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition, and assist women and girls better understand its consequences.
Females suffering from ADHD often develop depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at an early age and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. They can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure that they are effective throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, keeping an ongoing schedule, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential for women and girls with ADHD to find a professional and therapist who has experience with the condition, since they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble making or maintaining relationships and problems at school or at work. They can also teach coping strategies that include relaxation and breathing techniques, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged the gender is an internal sense of self that can be given at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.