ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD have a different set of societal expectations than males, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into consideration gender constructs as well as hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded settings. adhd in women treatment can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being female, such as social norms and family obligations.
Women with 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. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at minimum six months in order to be eligible for a diagnosis. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they might claim that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more apparent in boys and men. They are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as anxiety or depression, which could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews, and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focus on work or thinking about things. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity - an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, either real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in the absence of support networks and an inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias is a set assumptions and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. This could take the form of ratings scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or by internalized emotions that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD frequently have trouble staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their relationships. They may have cluttered homes or forget their appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted in social interactions, and may have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is menstrual cycles or in the lead-up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can increase the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They may be at risk of being pushed to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancies because they have difficulty insisting that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions and medication history you may have. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctors aware of any changes you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having, as they may be able spot something that you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be an effective way to build self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may face difficulties managing their home and maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since society's expectations typically require women to take care of. Because of their impulsivity and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual conduct or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with medication. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not efficient or appropriate, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men but they are not always diagnosed due to the ways they hide their symptoms or mask them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and restore their self-worth. Also, knowing that they can reduce their health and develop skills that will serve them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the best method for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and achieve realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the capability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms don't look like those of males. They may cover up their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's important, in addition to self-help strategies, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD for females. They are able to diagnose and treat this disorder, as well as help women and girls learn more about its consequences.
Females with ADHD often develop anxiety and depression, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. These issues are complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which could put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their loved ones to understand or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. adhd in older women improve concentration and focus by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, like neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure that they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other issues such as anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulty finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.