ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to a different set societal expectations compared to men. These expectations can lead people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD often experience symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or bustling environments. They may 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 who suffer from ADHD may have a harder in getting diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the requirements. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should 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, which is one of the main reasons why they aren't diagnosed. add symptoms in adult women may use strategies to disguise their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more visible in men and boys. Additionally, they are more likely to have a mental health issue that affects their mood and emotions, such as anxiety or depression, which is often dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type is more difficult to identify because it's more internal -for example, wandering off or not being focused on tasks. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity which is a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, either 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 to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can take the form of scales for rating which are biased toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social interactions, and may have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change at different stages of life. They can become more severe when, for instance, it is a woman’s menstrual period or in the lead-up to menopausal changes, which can increase irritability. Women with ADHD may also have issues in their romantic relationships because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy if they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can be beneficial as well. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and the history of medications you've had. You may also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you notice. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your family and friends members, as they could be able to spot things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work, maintain healthy relationships, and manage household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are often expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and control the symptoms. If these drugs aren't suitable or effective medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, requirements and medical history to determine the best course of treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males but they are not always diagnosed due to the ways they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The scales of rating for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews 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. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and help them regain their self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can manage their condition and develop life abilities that will last for a long time can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the best method to manage their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the ability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time since their symptoms don't appear like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they could prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's crucial as well as self-help methods to seek the help of a medical professional that specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Women suffering from ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. This can be exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age and are at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it difficult for loved ones to understand them or support them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants boost the amount of signals sent to the brain, which can increase concentration and attention. signs and symptoms of adhd in women change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can alter the dosage of these medications to ensure they work throughout a woman's lifetime.
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 learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who has experience with the disorder, as they can assist with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties finding or maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping skills, including breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.
