ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subjected to a different set societal expectations compared to men. These expectations can lead people to feel ashamed and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may suffer from symptoms like difficulty staying organized, forgetting details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. adhd traits in women can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet, such as family and social roles.
These issues can make it more difficult for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed because they don't meet the criteria. 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 that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the main reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example, they might pretend that they are not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more evident in men and boys. In addition they are more likely to have a mental health issue that affects their mood or emotions, like depression or anxiety. These is often ignored as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews and these tools are biased toward male behaviors 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.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify because it's more internallike wandering off or not being focused on tasks. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, a strong and often uncontrollable reaction to perceived or real rejection, than women without ADHD. This can cause problems in interpersonal relationships and a lack of support and an inability for women to ask for assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and because of gender bias. The concept of gender bias in clinical settings refers to the set of practices and beliefs that affect how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. This could be in form in the form of rating scales that are skewed towards male behavior or internalized emotions that lead to confusion in diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD may struggle to concentrate during business meetings or college classes, and could also have difficulty staying focused in their personal relationships or at home. They might have homes that are cluttered and forget their appointments, or are unable to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social gatherings and have trouble controlling their emotions when faced with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms can also vary at different times of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is a woman’s menstrual period or in the period leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can increase the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues in their relationships with loved ones due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due social rejection sensitivity. They could be at risk of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having unplanned pregnancies due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. Medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be helpful. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions and medications you have. You might also need counseling and lifestyle changes. adhd traits in women can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your physician updated on any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, as they might be able to identify things you may have missed. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Due to their impulsivity, and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior or become victims of partner abuse.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't effective or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A doctor will examine a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they tend to hide their symptoms and mask them with other conditions like anxiety or depression. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior, which means that certain female symptoms are not recognized or understood.
Many women consider it to be an important moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a rationale for the struggles they face and boost their self-esteem. Furthermore, knowing that they can improve their symptoms and build life abilities that will last throughout their lives can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the most beneficial method of learning to deal with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies for coping and establish achievable goals in all areas of their lives. This can be achieved with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and change negative thoughts and behaviors and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to improve awareness and the ability to establish and adhere to personal boundaries. Some women may benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often go undiagnosed for a lengthy period because their symptoms aren't like those of boys. They may cover up their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they can hinder women from seeking a diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies, it's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who is skilled in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, as well as help women and girls better understand its consequences.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and may develop depression or anxiety. These issues can be further complicated by their tendency to engage in sexual activity at a younger age, which puts them at risk of having unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings that makes it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up the signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters to regulate emotions and moods. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at work or school that can help them manage their symptoms.
It is crucial for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, since they can help with a range of symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble finding or maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques, including breathing and relaxation techniques to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.