ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to different expectations from society as compared to males. These expectations can lead people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment should take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women with ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded settings. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed since they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms have to be present since childhood and they should last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. It's also important to understand that other conditions and illnesses can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
Women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to disguise their symptoms. For instance, they might pretend that they're not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more apparent in boys and men. Moreover they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, such as depression or anxiety, which can be overlooked as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community may also be a reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to identify, because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or dreaming. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman increasing numbers of women are seeking assistance.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection as compared to women who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems in interpersonal relationships as well as the lack of support and a reluctance for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or because of gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. This can be in the form of scales for rating which are biased toward male behavior, or through internalized emotions that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD typically have difficulty focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may have trouble staying on track at home or in their personal relationships. They may have messy homes or forget their appointments and not pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also be different at different times of life. They can become more severe in the course of menstrual cycles or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause more the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they might struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They might be at a higher risk of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancies because they have difficulty insisting that their partners make use of contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be beneficial. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions or medications you have. see it here might also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can help your doctor by keeping the track of your symptoms and letting them know about any changes that you notice. You can also discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, as they could be able to identify things that you might miss. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work and maintain healthy relationships and take care of household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and self-esteem, particularly as society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not have the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If they aren't efficient or suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine the most effective course of action.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and conceal them with other disorders like depression or anxiety. The scales used to rate ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for many women. It can offer an external explanation for their struggles and restore their sense of self-worth. Also knowing that they can reduce their symptoms and build life skills that will serve them for a long time can boost confidence of women.
For many women, the most beneficial way to learn how to manage their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her identify and change negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to network with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms are not the same as those of boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to societal norms. These coping strategies are both healthy and unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
It's important in addition to self-help methods, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD among females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and give a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Women with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining close relationships and may develop anxiety or depression. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years which puts them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it difficult to make their loved ones accept them or to support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way the brain utilizes certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. They can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure that they are effective throughout a woman's life.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, and practicing mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that can help ease their symptoms at work or school.
It is important that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other issues such as emotional distress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping methods like breathing and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.