ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being female, such as social norms and family obligations.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult time getting diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they must last for at least six months before they be eligible for a diagnosis. It's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
One of the biggest reasons women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They might resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example, they might pretend that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more evident in men and boys. Additionally they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety. These can be dismissed as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews, which are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and 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 focusing on tasks or daydreaming. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled by high-profile women and influencers such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This may be because of their ability to hide their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. It can take the form of rating scales which are biased toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate during business meetings or college lectures. They may also have difficulty staying on track in their private relationships or at home. add symptoms in adult women may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change at different times of life. They may be more severe in the course of a woman’s menstrual period or in the period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased irritability. mouse click the up coming document who suffer from ADHD might also have issues in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They might be at a higher risk of being pushed into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from and your medical history when deciding on a treatment plan. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes you notice. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you're experiencing, as they may be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulties managing their household, maintaining healthy relationships, or being productive at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to be caretakers. Additionally, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone of engaging in sexually risky actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who do not have the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines assist in controlling brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these aren't effective or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best course of action.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and conceal them as other illnesses like depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not 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 problems and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Furthermore, knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will help them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health therapies is the best method for many women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop coping strategies and achieve achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women might benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look the same as the boys. They may mask their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that enable them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
It's important as well as self-help methods, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls better understand its consequences.
Women suffering from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at an early age and are at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD which can make it difficult for their family members to understand or support them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies like regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule, or creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial for women and girls with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who has experience with the condition, since they can help with a range of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty in maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping strategies, including breathing techniques and relaxation to 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 behaviour and appearance.