ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD face different social expectations than males, and those expectations can result in shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into account gender constructs, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details, and working in noisy or crowded areas. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being a woman, such as societal demands and family roles.
These challenges can make it difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must last at least six months in order to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions may cause similar symptoms to ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
One of the primary reasons that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, like trying to pretend they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to see in males and females. In addition, they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety, which can be ignored as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field could be another reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which are biased toward male behaviors and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD are afflicted with internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to identify, as they may have difficulty focusing on tasks or thinking about things. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop rejection sensitivity - an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in a lack of support networks and a failure to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and because of gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD typically have difficulty staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they might have difficulty staying on task at home or in their relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered and forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when facing rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also be different at different times of life. For instance, they can get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopausal, when hormone changes can increase irritability and mood swings. This Webpage who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitive to rejection. adult add in women might be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they have difficulty insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
A clear diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine can help too. When choosing a treatment your doctor will be aware of any other health issues and the history of medications you've had. You might also need counseling or lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and informing them about any changes that you notice. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having as they might be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their household, maintaining healthy relationships, or doing well at work. The symptoms can also trigger feelings of low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in dangerous sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who do not have the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, requirements 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 because of the way they conceal their symptoms or mask them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior symptoms, so some female symptoms are misinterpreted or under-identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and learn life skills that will help them into old age.
For many women, the best way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and alter negative attitudes and behaviors as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help methods It is important to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and can develop anxiety or depression. This can be made worse due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age, putting them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings that makes it difficult for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants boost the amount of signals sent to the brain, which can increase attention and focus. Antidepressants change the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they work throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, maintaining an agenda for the day, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can aid in easing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial for women and girls with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who is experienced with the condition, as they can assist with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties making or maintaining relationships and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping skills that include breathing techniques and relaxation to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.