ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to certain social norms compared to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD may suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, such as societal demands and family roles.
These challenges can make it difficult for women with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they do not meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they should last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more evident for both genders. In addition they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, such as depression or anxiety. These is often dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a bias against the disorder in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviews which are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from an internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose, since they might have difficulty focus on work or dreaming. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by high-profile women and influencers such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano increasing numbers of women are seeking assessment and getting much-needed assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to real or perceived rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their capacity to conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. This can be in the form of ratings scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may have trouble focusing in meetings at work or during college classes, and could also struggle to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They might be easily distracted in social gatherings and have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. They may be more severe in the course of the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can increase irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to be pushed into sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies if they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
A clear diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be helpful. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and medication history you may have. You may also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors updated on any changes that you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they could be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a significant step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulty managing their home, maintaining healthy relationships, or performing well at work. The symptoms can also trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are often expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk of engaging in sexually risky actions or being victims of intimate partner violence than their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated by medication. Stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate help regulate brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications aren't efficient or appropriate medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such due to the fact that they hide their symptoms and cover them as other illnesses like depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and restore their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing they can improve symptoms and learn life skills that will benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies and mental health therapies is the best method for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can help a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to aid her in identifying and alter negative behavior and thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to set and adhere to personal boundaries. navigate here might also benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with women who are also affected by the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often go undiagnosed for a lengthy period since their symptoms aren't the same as in boys. They may mask their ADHD symptoms by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping can be both healthy and unhealthy, but they may prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It is important as well as self-help techniques, to seek the help of a medical professional who specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls better understand its effects.
Females with ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at an earlier age, which can put them at risk of having unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for their loved ones understand them or support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can alter the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help techniques, including regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other issues such as anxiety as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping strategies like breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve 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 behavior and appearance.