ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to certain social norms in comparison to men. These expectations can cause women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or bustling environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face like family and social roles.
These issues can make it harder for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last for at least six months to be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may use coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, like trying to pretend they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to see in males and boys. In addition, they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, like anxiety or depression, which could be dismissed as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviewing that tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from an internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype. this type is more difficult to identify because it's more internal -like wandering off or not being focused on tasks. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. attention deficit disorder in women can interfere with interpersonal relationships and lead to the absence of support networks and a failure to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This may be because of their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify girls and women with ADHD. attention deficit disorder in women could take the form of ratings scales that are biased towards male behavior, or by internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD typically have difficulty attending to college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble staying focused at home or in their personal relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly 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 a woman’s menstrual period or in the lead-up to menopause when hormonal changes can increase irritation. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have issues in their relationships with partners because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They might be more at risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you have and your history of medication when deciding a treatment plan. You may also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your physician aware of any changes you observe in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you are having because they might be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and handle household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are typically 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 unsafe sexual conduct or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with medication. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best course of action.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males however, they are often under-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 techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior symptoms, so women's symptoms can be incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for their difficulties and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Additionally knowing that they can improve their condition and develop life skills that will help them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the best method to manage their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and achieve realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the capability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to network with women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms don't appear like boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's important in addition to self-help methods to seek the help of a medical professional who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and can develop anxiety or depression. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age, which can put them at risk of having unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it difficult for their loved ones accept them or to support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage emotions and moods. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure that they work throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help methods like regular exercise, maintaining a daily schedule, or setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for work or school that can alleviate their symptoms.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other symptoms such as anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping techniques, including breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged that gender is an internal concept of self that is assigned at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.