ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subject to a different set of societal expectations than males, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account 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 who suffer from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty staying organized, forgetting details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that come with being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last at least six months to qualify as ADHD. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms and this is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For high functioning adhd in women may pretend that they don't feel 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 mood and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for 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. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by high-profile women and influencers like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and a failure to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and because of gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. This could be in form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that cause misdiagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have messy homes and forget their appointments, or not pay their bills on time. They might be easily distracted during social interactions and have difficulty controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change during different stages of life. They may be more severe in the course of a woman’s menstrual period or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can cause more irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due social sensitive to rejection. They could be more prone to be pushed into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may also be helpful. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will consider any other health conditions or the history of medications you've had. You may also be required to alter your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctors updated on any changes you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they might be able to spot things that you might miss. A diagnosis can be a powerful way to build self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and take care of household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. Additionally, 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 as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medication. The stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If these aren't effective or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's symptoms, needs and past 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 are more likely to conceal their symptoms and cover them with other disorders such as depression or anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial 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 serve them throughout their lives can boost confidence in women.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the most effective way for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and achieve realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Furthermore, some women could benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms do not look like those of boys. They may cover up their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they may hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to seek treatment with an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls learn more about its consequences.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues are complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at an earlier age, which can put them at risk of having unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Mood fluctuations are also common among women with ADHD which can make it difficult for their loved ones to understand or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which may improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants change the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure they work throughout a woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential for women and girls with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the condition, since they can assist with a range of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties making or maintaining relationships and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques that include breathing techniques and relaxation to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal concept of self that can be assigned at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.