ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD face different social expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment should take into consideration gender-based stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and symptom severity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet in their families 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 since they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they should last for at minimum six months in order to qualify for a diagnosis. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions may cause similar symptoms to ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, like pretending they are not feeling overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easier to spot in both males and females. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, such as anxiety or depression. These can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason for why women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, which are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or an evaluation for their symptoms.
Attention-deficit women are more difficult to diagnose since they might have difficulty focus on work or thinking about things. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman More women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reactivity to perceived or real rejection more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to a lack of support networks and a failure to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often 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 assumptions and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls with ADHD. This can take 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 have trouble focusing during business meetings or college lectures, and may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also be different throughout the course of life. They can become more severe in the course of the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause increased irritation. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they might struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy 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 controlled with medications, including stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you suffer from and your medication history when choosing an appropriate treatment plan. You may also be required to change your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family members 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 might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, aid in regulating brain activity and control the symptoms. If these drugs aren't effective or appropriate, healthcare providers may prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the best method of treatment.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed because of the way they conceal their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders like depression and anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior patterns, and as a result, some female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a rationale for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them well into their old age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the most effective way for many women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing coping strategies and set realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and change negative behavior and thoughts and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve mindfulness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from finding an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often remain undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms don't appear like boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies, it's important to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and help you understand its effects on women and girls.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Mood changes are also common in women with ADHD, which can make it difficult for loved ones to comprehend or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can increase attention and focus. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. They can be adjusted by a physician to ensure that they are effective throughout a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for school or work that can help them manage their symptoms.
adhd in women uk is crucial that girls and women with ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other symptoms, such as depression, emotional stress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping skills that include breathing techniques and relaxation to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.