ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to different expectations from society compared to men. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into account gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and at school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded areas. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations of being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they do not meet the requirements. Symptoms must be present since childhood and they must last for at least six months before they be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they don't feel stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more apparent in men and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like anxiety or depression, which could be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviews that tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. In addition, many women who suffer from ADHD are afflicted with negative self-esteem and internalized stigma which makes them less likely to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify because it's more internal- such as daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by high-profile women and influencers such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those who do not have ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships and a lack of support and an inability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD throughout their adulthood. This may be because of their ability to disguise their symptoms, or due to gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat girls and women with ADHD. It can be in form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may struggle to concentrate during business meetings or college lectures, and may also struggle to stay on track in their private relationships or at home. They might have homes that are cluttered, forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary throughout the course of life. For instance, they can worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopausal as hormonal changes can cause increased irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD might also have issues in their relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They may be more likely to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing an appropriate treatment plan. You may also need to change your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you're having, as they may be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't 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 or guilt, particularly since women are frequently expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of abuse by their partners.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated by medication. Stimulant drugs, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and control the symptoms. If these medications are not suitable or effective, healthcare providers may prescribe nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best treatment plan is.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they tend to hide their symptoms and cover them with other disorders such as depression or anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior patterns, and as a result, women's symptoms can be not recognized or understood.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing they can improve symptoms and acquire life skills that can benefit them throughout their age.
For many women, the best 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 a woman develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals for her to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, and dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases awareness and the capacity to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to meet other women who understand the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often remain undiagnosed for long periods of time since their symptoms aren't like those of boys. adhd traits in women can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but they could prevent women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques, it's important to consult an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls to better understand the consequences.
Females with ADHD often develop depression and anxiety as well as struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. These issues can be further complicated by their tendency to be sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk for unwanted sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Mood fluctuations are also common among women suffering from ADHD, which can make it difficult for their loved ones to comprehend or support them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants can help improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, like neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can modify the dosage of these medications to ensure they work throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from self-help techniques such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule, or setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for work or school that can ease their symptoms.
It's important for women and girls with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, as they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping skills, including breathing techniques and relaxation to help ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.