ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD typically experience symptoms such as difficulty staying organized, difficulties remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that come with being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it 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. Symptoms must be present since childhood and they must last at least six months to qualify for a diagnosis. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the main reasons why women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to mask their symptoms. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to spot in both males and boys. Additionally they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, such as anxiety or depression, which can be overlooked as an ADHD sign.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing that tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type is more difficult to identify because it's more internal- such as daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by prominent women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reactivity to perceived or real rejection, than women without ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships, the lack of support and a lack of ability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that negatively affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that can lead to confusion in diagnosis. Women and girls who experience inattention ADHD often have difficulty with focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may have trouble staying on track at home or in their personal relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered and forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. They may worsen, for example, during menstrual cycles or in the lead-up to menopausal changes, which can cause more irritability. Women with ADHD might also have difficulties in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, can reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine, can be helpful too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You may also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can aid your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and inform them about any changes that you notice. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you're experiencing because they might be able to spot something you didn't notice. A diagnosis can be a powerful step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their household, maintaining healthy relationships, or performing well at work. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not have the disorder.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The scales of rating for ADHD and the techniques used to interview are heavily influenced by male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can reduce symptoms and develop life skills that will benefit them throughout their age.
For many women, the best method of learning to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. adhd in women test can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the capability of setting and observing personal boundaries. Some women might also benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often left undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms don't look the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD characteristics by implementing coping mechanisms that permit them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's crucial in addition to self-help strategies, to seek the help of a medical professional 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.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and may develop anxiety or depression. This can be exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities at a young age which puts them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that can make it hard for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are used to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they are effective throughout a woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies like regular exercise, maintaining a daily schedule, or setting reminders, or practicing mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at work or school.
It is crucial for girls and women with ADHD to find a clinician and therapist who has experience with the condition, since they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping strategies such as breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex is a reference to biology, which includes chromosomes and hormones, but that gender is an internal concept of self that can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.