ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are subject to different expectations from society compared to men. These expectations can lead them to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment must take into account gender constructs, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD may experience symptoms such as difficulty organizing their lives, forgetting important details, and working in noisy or crowded areas. They can also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, such as societal demands and family roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last for at least six month to be considered as ADHD. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms, like pretending they are not feeling overwhelmed or over-compensating for symptoms that are easier to spot in both men and boys. Moreover, they are more likely to have a mental health condition that affects their mood or emotions, including depression or anxiety, which is often overlooked as an ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could be another reason why women with ADHD aren't diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviews, which tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Many women who suffer from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type can be harder to identify because it's more internal -- such as being distracted or having difficulty staying focused on their tasks. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests and getting much-needed help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived, than women without ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to a lack of support networks and an inability to reach out for help.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This may be because of their ability to camouflage their symptoms, and because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized feelings that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattention ADHD frequently have trouble focusing in college lectures or business meetings. They may have trouble staying focused at home or in their personal relationships. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They could be easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, particularly when facing rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. For example, they may be more severe during a woman's monthly cycle or during the transition to menopausal symptoms, when hormone changes can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social sensitive to rejection. They might be at risk of being pressured to engage in sexual activities 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 symptoms can be diminished with medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be beneficial. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from and your medical history when deciding on the best treatment plan. You may also require counseling or lifestyle changes. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors aware of any changes you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, as they could be able to detect things that you might miss. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and handle household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and shame, particularly since society's expectations typically require women to be caretakers. Due to their impulsivity and heightened risk of violence in intimate relationships, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of partner abuse.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medication. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective course of action.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed due to the way they hide their symptoms or cover them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the techniques used to interview are heavily influenced by male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and restore their sense of self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can reduce their symptoms and build life skills that will help them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
For many women, the best method of learning to deal with their ADHD is to use a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health therapies. Therapy can help women develop strategies for coping and set realistic goals for her to succeed in every aspect of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group in order to connect with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a lengthy period since their symptoms don't look the same as in boys. They may mask their ADHD characteristics by implementing coping mechanisms that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These strategies for coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
It's crucial as well as self-help strategies, to seek treatment from a healthcare provider who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this condition, and assist women and girls better understand its effects.
Females with ADHD often develop depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain relationships. This can be made worse due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years, putting them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which can make it difficult for their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
The most commonly used treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a doctor to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the woman's lifetime.
high functioning adhd in women and girls with ADHD may benefit from self-help strategies such as regular exercise, maintaining an ongoing schedule, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for work or school that can alleviate their symptoms.
It is crucial that girls and women suffering from ADHD find a doctor or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can help with other symptoms such as emotional distress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping skills that include relaxation and breathing techniques to help ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes. However, it is also true that gender can be determined by behaviour and appearance.