ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to different social expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have issues such as keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details, and working in noisy or crowded areas. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, such as social norms and family obligations.
These issues can make it more difficult for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed since they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must last for at least six months in order to be considered ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons that women with ADHD aren't diagnosed is because they are more likely to hide their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, for example, trying to pretend they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to detect in males and boys. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, like anxiety or depression, which is often overlooked as an ADHD sign.
Another reason women with ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a bias against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews which are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD experience internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or dreaming. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled by high-profile women and influencers like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed assistance.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships with others as well as a lack of support and a lack of ability to seek help.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify girls and women with ADHD. This could take the form of scales for rating that are biased towards male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD typically have difficulty focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their relationships. They might have cluttered homes or forget appointments, and fail to pay bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and have difficulty managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also alter at different times of life. They may be more severe, for example, during menstrual cycles or in the lead-up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have issues in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social sensitivities to rejection. They may be more at risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment your doctor will consider any other health conditions or medication history you may have. You may also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can aid your doctor by keeping track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you notice. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you're having as they might be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can be a powerful 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 have difficulties managing their home, maintaining healthy relationships, or being productive at work. These symptoms can lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity, and the increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual behaviors or be victims of abuse from their partners.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these drugs aren't suitable or effective medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, requirements and medical history to determine the most effective treatment is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However they are not diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and mask them as other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Many women find it an important moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a rationale for the difficulties they confront and boost their self-esteem. Also, knowing that they can manage their health and develop abilities that will last for a long time can boost confidence of women.
For many women, the best way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group to network with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time, as their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by implementing ways of coping that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to societal norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they may hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help techniques, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD for females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety and may struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be complicated by their propensity to be sexually active at an earlier age, which puts them at risk of having unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD and can make it difficult for family members to understand or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are 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 how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
adhd in women checklist and women with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for work or school that can alleviate their symptoms.
It is essential that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other symptoms such as emotional distress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies such as relaxation and breathing techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. 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, which can be established at birth or by a person's behaviour and appearance.