ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subjected to different expectations from society in comparison to men. These expectations can lead them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should consider gender constructs as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
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Women suffering from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face in their families and societal roles.
Women with ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last for at least six months in order to be considered as ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons why women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, like pretending they are not feeling overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easier to detect in males and females. Moreover they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, like depression or anxiety. These could be ignored as an ADHD symptom.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field could also be the reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing, which tend to favor 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 out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type is more difficult to diagnose because it's more internal -- such as daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influential women and celebrities, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessment and seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity towards rejection - an intense sometimes uncontrollable reaction to rejection, either real or perceived - than those who do not suffer from ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to an absence of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This may be because of their ability to hide their symptoms, and due to gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of beliefs and practices that negatively influence how clinicians determine and treat women and girls with ADHD. It can take the form of ratings scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they might have difficulty staying on task at home or in their relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered and forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary at different times of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is a woman’s menstrual period or in the lead-up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased the irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies if they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing the best treatment plan. You might also need counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor updated on any changes that you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they might be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work and maintain healthy relationships and take care of household chores. The symptoms can also cause feelings of low self-esteem and self-esteem, particularly as society's expectations typically require women to take care of. Because of their impulsivity and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who have untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual conduct or become victims of partner abuse.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not efficient or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best course of treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and cover them with other disorders like anxiety or depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women consider it to be a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and restore their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and acquire life skills that will help them well into their old age.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts, and dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Furthermore, some women could 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 because their symptoms don't look the same as those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's crucial, in addition to self-help strategies to seek medical attention from a doctor who specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and help you understand its effects on girls and women.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and develop anxiety or depression. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at a younger age, which can put the risk of unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood changes are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which may improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a physician to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to find a professional and therapist who is experienced with the condition, as they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble making or maintaining relationships and problems at school or at work. They can also teach coping techniques, including breathing techniques and relaxation, to help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also acknowledged the gender is an internal perception of self that can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.