ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than males, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment should consider gender-based stereotypes as well as hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve relationships and performance at work and school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD often have symptoms like difficulty staying organized, difficulties recalling details, or having trouble working in noisy or busy environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, social norms and family obligations.
Women with ADHD might have a difficult to be diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at minimum six months in order to be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, such as trying to pretend they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easy to spot in both men and boys. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their mood and mood, such as depression or anxiety, 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 in the medical field. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews that are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focus on work or dreaming. With the growing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman More women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity towards rejection which is a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, either real or perceived - than women who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to an absence of support networks and the inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD throughout their adulthood. This could be due to their ability conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of rating scales that are skewed toward male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when they are faced with rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms alter at different times of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause increased the irritability. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitivities to rejection. They may be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancy due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can be beneficial as well. When choosing a treatment your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions and medications you have. You may also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you observe. You can also talk to your family and friends about any issues you're having because they might be able to identify something you did not notice. Highly recommended Resource site can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence than those who do not suffer from the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. weblink , like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best course of action.
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 like depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being recognized.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide a reason external for the struggles they face and restore their self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them into old age.
Combining behavioral strategies with mental health treatments is the most effective way for women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing coping strategies and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women might also benefit by joining an ADHD support group to connect with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms aren't like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It's important in addition to self-help strategies to seek medical attention from a doctor who specializes in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and assist women and girls better understand its effects.
Females with ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships. These issues can be complicated by their tendency to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which puts them at risk of having unintentional sexual relationships or intimate partner violence. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it difficult for loved ones to be able to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which may improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants change the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. These medications can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure that they are effective throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help methods, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. add symptoms in adult women can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that could help them manage their symptoms.
It is essential for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who has experience with the condition, as they can assist with a myriad of symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and issues at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques such as breathing and relaxation techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.