ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subject to different social expectations than males, and those expectations can lead to shame and self-blame. Treatment needs to account for gender constructs, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and at school, as well as self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might experience symptoms such as difficulty keeping track of their schedule, ignoring details, and working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations of being female, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These issues can make it harder for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed since they don't meet the criteria. Symptoms have to be present since childhood and they must last at minimum six months in order to be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the primary reasons that women with ADHD are not diagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They might resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For instance they might claim that they're not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more evident in men and boys. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, such as depression or anxiety, which is often overlooked as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason that women suffering from ADHD are not being diagnosed is due to a prejudice against the disorder in the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews and these tools tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Some women with ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type of ADHD can be difficult to diagnose because it's more internal -like daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, which is fueled by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD have a greater tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection - an intense, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than those without ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships, the lack of support and an inability for women to ask for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This may be because of their ability to hide their symptoms, and due to gender bias. Gender bias in clinical settings refers the set of practices and beliefs that can negatively impact how doctors determine and treat women and girls with ADHD. This could be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that cause incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They might have difficulty staying on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They may be easily distracted in social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms can also vary at different times of life. For example, they may be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the transition to menopause, when hormone changes can cause increased irritability and mood swings. Women with ADHD might also have difficulties in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be more at risk of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancy because they are unable to insist that their partners take contraceptives.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, can help reduce symptoms. Nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health conditions or the history of medications you've had. You may also have to change your lifestyle and receive counseling. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor updated on any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also talk to your family and friends about any problems you're having as they might be able to identify something you missed. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may have trouble performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and take care of household chores. The symptoms can also cause feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to be caretakers. Additionally, due to their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in dangerous sexual actions or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, doctors can prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A doctor will examine a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best method of treatment.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However they aren't diagnosed as such due to the fact that they hide their symptoms and cover them with other disorders like anxiety or depression. The rating scales for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior symptoms. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women consider it a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide an external explanation for their problems and restore their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be boosted by knowing they can improve symptoms and learn life skills that can benefit them into old age.
For many women, the most effective way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set realistic goals in all areas of their lives. adhd symptoms in women test can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms do not look the same as those of males. They may conceal their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to conform to societal norms. These strategies for coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they can stop women from seeking treatment.
It's important, in addition to self-help methods to seek out the help of a medical professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition and provide a better understanding of its effects on girls and women.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and develop anxiety or depression. These issues are complicated by their tendency to be sexually active at an earlier age, which could put the risk of unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Mood changes are also common in 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 improve concentration and focus by speeding up the 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 these medications to ensure that they work throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, creating reminders or mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for school or work that can ease their symptoms.
It's important for girls and women with ADHD to find a professional and therapist who is experienced with the condition, as they can help with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulty making or maintaining relationships and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping methods that include breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.