ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subjected to a different set societal expectations in comparison to men. These expectations can cause people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD often experience symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that come with being female, such as social norms and family obligations.
adhd in women checklist 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 requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must last at least six month to qualify as ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible for both genders. In addition they are more likely to suffer from a mental health issue that affects their mood and emotions, such as depression or anxiety. These can be dismissed as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community could be another reason why women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to diagnose due to its more internal naturelike daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection, than women without ADHD. This can lead to problems in relationships with others and an absence of support, and a lack of ability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability to cover up their symptoms or gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. It can be in form in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that lead to confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate on business meetings or college lectures, and may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They might have cluttered homes, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also alter at different times of life. For example, they may be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the transition to menopause as hormonal changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social sensitivities to rejection. They could be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, can be helpful too. Your doctor will consider any other health conditions you suffer from and your medical history when deciding on a treatment plan. You may also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you notice. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your family and friends members, because they may be able to identify things that you're not aware of. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are frequently 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 unsafe sexual actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who do not have the disorder.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and reduce symptoms. If they aren't efficient or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective course of action.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the way they hide their symptoms or cover them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. In addition, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that some female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Many women consider it an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Furthermore knowing that they can manage their condition and develop life skills that will help them throughout their lives can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the best method for women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can help women build coping strategies and establish realistic goals that she can achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which increases awareness and the capacity of setting and observing personal boundaries. Furthermore, some 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 misdiagnosed because their symptoms do not look the same as those of boys. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing coping mechanisms that permit them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
In addition to self-help methods It is essential to seek out a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this disorder, and assist women and girls learn more about its consequences.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which puts the risk of unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood fluctuations are also common among women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may benefit from self-help methods like regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is essential that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping strategies, including relaxation and breathing techniques to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.