ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can result in shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD often experience symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder in getting diagnosed and treated due to these issues. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they should last for at minimum six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to hide their symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they're not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more visible in boys and men. Moreover they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood and emotions, including depression or anxiety. These is often ignored as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason why women with ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviewing, which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD are afflicted with internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek out evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify because it's more internal -like wandering off or not being focused on their tasks. However, with increased high functioning adhd in women of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessment and seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reactivity to perceived or real rejection, than women without ADHD. This can affect relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD throughout their adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias is a set assumptions and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized emotions that cause incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women with inattention ADHD may have trouble focusing in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may be unable to stay focused in their personal relationships or at home. They may have messy homes and forget their appointments, or are unable to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted during social interactions, and may have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary in different seasons of life. For example, they may get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopausal which can cause increased irritability and mood swings. Women who suffer from ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they might struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They may be more at risk of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be helpful. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions or medication history you may have. You might also require counseling and lifestyle changes. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and informing them about any changes you observe. You can discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, because they may be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their household or maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more at risk of engaging in sexually risky actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with medications. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications are not suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the best option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However, they are under-diagnosed because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and cover them with other conditions such as depression or anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the interview techniques are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a rationale for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing they can improve symptoms and learn life skills that will benefit them into old age.
For many women, the most effective method to cope with their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved through 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 of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group to network with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often go undiagnosed for a long time, as their symptoms don't appear the same as in boys. They may hide their ADHD traits by developing coping mechanisms that permit them to appear "normal" and meet societal norms. These strategies of coping can be both healthy and unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
In addition to self-help strategies, it's important to seek out a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and provide a better understanding of its impacts on girls and women.
Females who suffer from ADHD tend to develop anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at a young age, putting them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women with ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants speed up signals sent to the brain, which can improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to regulate moods and emotions. A healthcare provider can adjust the dosage of these medications to ensure they are effective throughout the life of a woman.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might benefit from self-help methods like regular exercise, maintaining a daily schedule, or creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also learn about the various accommodations available at school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is important that girls and women with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other symptoms such as emotional distress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping techniques that include breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve the 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, which can be given at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.