ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD are subjected to certain social norms compared to men. These expectations can cause them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should consider gender stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD might have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details, and working in noisy or crowded settings. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women have to meet in their families and social roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and must last at least six months to be considered ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they are not stressed or exaggerate the symptoms that are more visible in men and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, such as depression or anxiety, which can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession may also be a reason why women with ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which are biased towards male behaviors and symptoms. Lastly, many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem which makes them less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble working or focusing on their tasks, or even dreaming. With the increased awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by famous women like Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman More women are seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reactivity to perceived or real rejection more than women with ADHD. This can interfere with interpersonal relationships and lead to an absence of support networks and an inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This may be because of their ability to camouflage their symptoms, or due to gender bias. Gender bias is a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect the way that clinicians diagnose women and girls with ADHD. It can be in form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause confusion in diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattention ADHD typically have difficulty focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may struggle to stay on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have cluttered homes, forget their appointments and are unable to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when they are faced with rejection or failure.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. They can become more severe, for example, during the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopause when hormonal changes can cause more irritability. Women with ADHD might also have issues in their relationships with loved ones due to impulsivity and poor preparation, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They are more likely to be pushed into sexual activities or to have unplanned pregnancy if they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
A precise diagnosis is essential to managing ADHD symptoms. The use of medication, for example stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be beneficial. When choosing a treatment, your doctor will be aware of any other health conditions and medications you have. You may also have to make lifestyle changes and undergo counseling. You can assist your doctor by keeping an eye on your symptoms and inform them about any changes you observe. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your friends and family members, as they might be able to detect things you may have missed. high functioning adhd in women can be a significant step towards building self-esteem and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may face difficulties managing their home and maintaining healthy relationships or doing well at work. Symptoms may also lead to feelings such as low self-esteem or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone of engaging in sexually risky behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine the most effective course of action.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same amount as men. However they aren't diagnosed as such because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms and cover them as other illnesses like depression or anxiety. In addition, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior symptoms, so women's symptoms can be not recognized or understood.
Many women consider it to be an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It can provide a rationale for the difficulties they confront and help them regain their self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can improve their condition and develop life skills that will help them well into old age can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the most effective method of learning to manage their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can help a woman develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals that she can accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviors as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet 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 appear like those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD characteristics by implementing ways of coping that permit them to appear "normal" and 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 medical attention from a doctor that specializes in treating ADHD among females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition, and help you understand its impacts on girls and women.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and develop anxiety or depression. This can be made worse by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity at a young age, putting them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which makes it difficult for loved ones to understand them or support them.
The most popular treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can increase focus and attention. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure that they're effective throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD may benefit from self-help techniques such as regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could help ease their symptoms at school or at work.
It is crucial that women and girls with ADHD seek out a therapist or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other issues such as depression, emotional stress as well as low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping methods that include breathing and relaxation techniques, to ease symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a biological phenomenon, including hormones and chromosomes. It also recognizes that gender can be determined by behavior and appearance.