ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD face different social expectations than males, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD often have symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that come with being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a difficult in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must be present since childhood and be present for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may use strategies to disguise their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more evident in boys and men. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD aren't being recognized as having ADHD is due to a bias against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews, and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, as they may have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even thinking about things. However, with increased signs of add in adult women 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 help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity towards rejection - an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to the absence of support networks and a failure to reach out for help.
adhd in adult women test are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This may be because of their ability to hide their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias is a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify girls and women with ADHD. This can take the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD typically have difficulty staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They may have trouble staying on task at home or in their relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted during social interactions, and may have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change during different stages of life. They can become more severe when, for instance, it is menstrual cycles or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause more irritation. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships because of social sensitivities to rejection. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies if they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. Treatment, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you suffer from and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You might also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors updated on any changes you observe in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you're having because they might be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can be a significant way to build confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may face difficulties managing their home and maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated by medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and conceal them with other disorders like depression or anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior patterns, and as a result, some female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide an external explanation for their struggles and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Also knowing that they can manage their symptoms and build life skills that will help them well into old age can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the most effective method to manage their ADHD is through a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often go undiagnosed for long periods of time since their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help strategies to seek out the help of a medical professional that specializes in treating ADHD for females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls learn more about its consequences.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and can develop depression or anxiety. This can be made worse 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 fluctuations are also common among women suffering from ADHD which can make it difficult for family members to understand or help them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants can help improve concentration and focus by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are used to regulate moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure that they are effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help techniques, including regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that could aid in easing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to find a clinician and therapist with experience with the disorder, as they can assist with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and problems at work or in school. They can also teach coping strategies like breathing and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve 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 concept of self that can be established at birth or by a person's behaviour and appearance.