ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are governed by a different set societal expectations in comparison to men. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into consideration gender stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded areas. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet like family and social roles.
Women with ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated due to these challenges. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they must last for at least six months to be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
One of the main reasons why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed is because they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible in boys and men. Additionally, they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, like anxiety or depression, which can be dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD 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 are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD experience internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify because it's more internal- such as being distracted or having difficulty staying focused on tasks. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, either real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in the absence of support networks and the inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of practices and beliefs that affect how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. This could be in form in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattentive ADHD frequently have trouble focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay focused at home or in their personal relationships. They might have messy homes, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and have difficulty managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. For example, they may be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal as hormonal changes can trigger irritability as well as mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulties in their romantic relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due social sensitivities to rejection. They are more likely to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies when they are unable to insist on their partners using 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 be helpful too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing the best treatment plan. You might also need counseling and lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you observe. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you are having, as they may be able to identify something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their household, maintaining healthy relationships, or performing well at work. The symptoms can also cause feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to take care of. In addition, because of their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medications. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines assist in controlling brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the most effective method of treatment.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the ways they hide their symptoms or mask them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. Additionally, rating adhd in older women and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, some female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and restore their self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and learn life skills that will help them into old age.
For many women, the best way to learn how to deal with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies for coping and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and change negative thoughts and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Furthermore, high functioning adhd in women could benefit from finding an ADHD support group to meet with other people who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a lengthy period since their symptoms don't appear like boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
It is important as well as self-help methods, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Females suffering from ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression, and they can also struggle to maintain close relationships. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years which puts them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which can make it hard to make their loved ones understand them or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. They can be adjusted by a physician to ensure that they are effective throughout the woman's lifetime.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might benefit from self-help methods such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule, or making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is essential that girls and women with ADHD find a clinician or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other symptoms such as anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to ease symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal perception of self, which can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.