ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are governed by certain social norms in comparison to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have issues such as staying organized, forgetting details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women are faced with like family and societal roles.
These issues can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get 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 last at least six month to be considered ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use strategies to cover up their symptoms. For instance they may pretend that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more evident in boys and men. Additionally they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, like depression or anxiety. These is often overlooked as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason why women with 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 that are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD experience negative self-esteem and internalized stigma 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, as they may have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even thinking about things. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than women who do not suffer from ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to an array of beliefs and practices that negatively influence how clinicians identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of scales for rating that are skewed toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task 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 could be easily distracted in social interactions, and may have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change at different stages of life. They can become more severe when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause more irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be at chance of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancy because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can be beneficial as well. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medical history when deciding on a treatment plan. You may also have to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your physician aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you are having, as they may be able spot something that you did not notice. A diagnosis can be an effective way to build confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and handle household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are often expected to be caregivers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in unsafe sexual 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 with medication. The stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they tend to hide their symptoms and conceal them as other illnesses like anxiety or depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
women and adhd consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide an external explanation for their difficulties and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can reduce their condition and develop life skills that will help them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for many women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and set realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and modify negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to establish and adhere to personal boundaries. Some women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms do not look like those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking an diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help methods, to seek the help of a medical professional that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and develop anxiety or depression. This can be made worse due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years which puts them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for loved ones to understand or help them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a healthcare provider to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help strategies, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for work or school that can help them manage their symptoms.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other issues such as depression, emotional stress, low self-esteem and difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing techniques and relaxation, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including chromosomes and hormones, but the gender is an internal perception of self, which can be established at birth or by a person's behavior and appearance.