ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have different social expectations than men, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment should consider gender stereotypes hormone fluctuations, symptom severity.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and at school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, social norms and family obligations.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult to be diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they don't meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they must last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women with ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more apparent in men and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
Another reason why women with ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews which are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble working or focusing on their tasks, or even thinking about things. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reactivity to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems in interpersonal relationships, a lack of support and a reluctance to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This may be because of their ability to camouflage their symptoms, and due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to the set of beliefs and practices that can negatively impact how doctors identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. This could take the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior, or through internalized feelings that lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They might have difficulty staying focused at home or in their relationships. They may have cluttered homes and forget their appointments, or fail to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when facing rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary throughout the course of life. They may be more severe, for example, during menstrual cycles or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can increase irritation. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have issues in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They could be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be helpful. When choosing a treatment your doctor will consider any other health conditions and medications you have. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having, as they may be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can be a powerful way to build self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and shame, particularly since society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. Additionally, due to their impulsivity, girls and women with untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who do not have the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these drugs aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A doctor will examine the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective method of treatment.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Many women consider it to be an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a rationale for the challenges they face and help them regain their self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and acquire life skills that will help them throughout their age.
For many women, the most effective method of learning to deal with their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health therapies. Therapy can help a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed as their symptoms are not the same as the boys. They can disguise their ADHD symptoms by implementing strategies to cope that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
In addition to self-help strategies It is essential to seek treatment with a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Iam Psychiatry suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to become sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD, which can make it difficult for family members 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 may improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure that they are effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that can ease their symptoms.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD find a doctor 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 strategies, such as breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including chromosomes and hormones, but that gender is an internal sense of self that can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behaviour and appearance.
