ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subject to different social expectations than males, and those expectations can result in shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details, and working in noisy or crowded environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women face, such as family and societal roles.
These challenges can make it more difficult for women with ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't fit the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood, and they should last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. Iam Psychiatry 's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions may cause similar symptoms to ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
One of the main reasons that women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more apparent for both genders. In addition they are more likely to suffer from a mental health issue that affects their mood and emotions, such as depression or anxiety, which is often ignored as an ADHD sign.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with 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 type, and this type is more difficult to diagnose because it's more internalfor example, wandering off or not being focused on tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reactivity to rejection, whether real or perceived, than women without ADHD. This can affect interpersonal relationships and lead to the absence of support networks and the inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that can negatively impact how clinicians identify women and girls with ADHD. This could be in form in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that can lead to misdiagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD frequently have trouble staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they might have difficulty staying focused at home or in their relationships. They may have cluttered homes and forget their appointments, or are unable to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social interactions and have difficulty managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
It is also possible that symptoms change at different stages of life. For example, they may get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the transition to menopausal symptoms which can trigger irritability as well as mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their romantic relationships because of impulsivity and poor planning, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They may be more likely to be pushed into sexual activity or to have unplanned pregnancy if they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may also be beneficial. Your doctor will consider any other health conditions you suffer from as well as your medical history when deciding on the best treatment plan. You may also need to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can help your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes you observe. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any problems you are having as they might be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and manage household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to take care of. In addition, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who do not have the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by medication. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, assist in controlling brain activity and control the symptoms. If these drugs aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the best course of action.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they are not diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and mask them with other disorders such as depression or anxiety. The scales of rating for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Many women consider it to be a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and restore their self-worth. Also knowing that they can manage their health and develop skills that will serve them well into old age can boost confidence in women.
For many women, the most beneficial way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop coping strategies and establish realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to set and respect personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a lengthy period because their symptoms don't look like those of boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by implementing coping mechanisms that enable them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to consult an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and provide a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD often develop anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain relationships. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to become sexually active at an earlier age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which can make it hard for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
Psychostimulants and antidepressants are among the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, keeping an ongoing schedule, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include breathing techniques and relaxation to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including chromosomes and hormones, but that gender is an internal sense of self that is assigned at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.