ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to a different set societal expectations as compared to males. These expectations can lead people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may suffer from symptoms like difficulty staying organized, forgetting details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, for example, the demands of society and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. Symptoms must be present since childhood, and they should last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. It is also important to recognize that other illnesses and conditions can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to mask symptoms and this is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms, for example, pretending they are not feeling stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easier to spot in both males and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as depression or anxiety, which could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews and these tools are biased toward male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma, making them less willing to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or thinking about things. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reactivity to perceived or real rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can affect relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and the inability to seek assistance.
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. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to a set of practices and beliefs that negatively influence how clinicians identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can take the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have messy homes or forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also alter at different times of life. For instance, they can get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal as hormonal changes can cause increased irritability and mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They might be at a higher risk of being pushed to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancies because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and medication history you may have. You may also need to alter your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your physician 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 might be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and manage household chores. The symptoms can also trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity, and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help regulate brain activity and control the symptoms. If these drugs aren't efficient or appropriate medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine the best course of action.
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 disorders like depression or anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Many women consider it to be an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. adhd symptoms for women can provide an external explanation for their struggles and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can improve their health and develop skills that will help them well into old age can boost confidence of women.
For many women, the best way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the capability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to meet women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms don't look the same as those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to the norms of society. navigate here coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help techniques to seek treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition as well as help women and girls to better understand the consequences.
Females with ADHD often develop anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure that they are effective throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is crucial for girls and women with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, since they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and problems at work or in school. They can also teach coping strategies like breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.