ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have different social expectations than males, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD often have symptoms like difficulty staying organized, difficulties recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or busy environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with, such as family and social roles.
These challenges can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the requirements. add and adhd in women must have been present since childhood and must last at least six month to qualify as 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 cover up their symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in males and females. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason women with ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a bias against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, and these tools tend to favor male behavior and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to identify, since they might have difficulty focus on work or thinking about things. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection which is an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships, a lack of support and an inability for women to ask for assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and 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 can take the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized feelings that lead to confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing during business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have homes that are cluttered, forget their appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also be different throughout the course of life. For instance, they can worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal symptoms which can cause increased irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They may be at chance of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancy because they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health issues and medication history you may have. You might also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you notice. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you are having because they might be able spot something that you missed. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulties managing their home, maintaining healthy relationships, or performing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual conduct or become victims of partner abuse.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications are not efficient or appropriate healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best method of treatment.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men but they are not always diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or mask them with other illnesses like depression and 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 a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. 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 they can improve symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies and mental health treatments is the most effective way for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative behavior and thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look the same as those of boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by implementing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's important in addition to self-help techniques to seek out medical attention from a doctor that specializes in treating ADHD for females. They are able to diagnose and treat this disorder, and help girls and women better understand its consequences.
Females suffering from ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. This can be made worse by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities in their early years which puts them at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it hard for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can increase attention and focus. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure they work throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help methods, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for work or school that can alleviate their symptoms.
It is crucial that girls and women with ADHD find a clinician or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other issues such as depression, emotional stress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies, including relaxation and breathing techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.