ADHD in Women and Girls
Women and girls with ADHD are governed by a different set societal expectations as compared to males. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into consideration gender-based stereotypes, hormonal fluctuations and the severity of the symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve the quality of relationships and performance at work and school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women suffering from ADHD might have issues such as staying organized, forgetting details, and working in noisy or crowded areas. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations women face in their families and societal roles.
Women with ADHD may have a harder in getting diagnosed and treated due to these difficulties. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last at least six months in order to qualify as ADHD. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions can trigger similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms and this is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may use strategies to cover up their symptoms. For example they might claim that they don't feel stressed or overstate symptoms that are more evident for both genders. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition that affects their mood and emotions, such as depression or anxiety. These could be dismissed as an ADHD symptom.
Another reason why women with ADHD are underdiagnosed may be due to a prejudice against the disorder within the medical community. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on scales of rating and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors 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.
Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type is more difficult to diagnose because it's more internal- such as being distracted or having difficulty staying focused on tasks. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influential women and celebrities, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and getting much-needed help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, an intense and often uncontrollable reactivity to real or perceived rejection more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships with others, the lack of support and an inability for women to ask for assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability to camouflage 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 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 inattentive ADHD often have difficulty with staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings. They might have difficulty staying focused at home or in their relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered and forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and have difficulty managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or disappointment.
Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. They may be more severe when, for instance, it is the menstrual cycle of women or in the period leading up to menopausal changes, which can increase the irritability. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have issues in their relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitive to rejection. They could be more prone to be pressured into sexual activities or have unplanned pregnancies in the event that they are unable insist on their partners using contraception.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, such as stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, can be helpful too. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from as well as your history of medication when deciding a treatment plan. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and undergo counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor updated on any changes you notice in yourself. It is also a good idea to talk to your family and friends about any issues you are having as they might be able to spot something you missed. A diagnosis can be an effective step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more confident in taking control of your life.
Treatment
Women with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and guilt, especially since the norms of society often require women to take care of. In addition, because of their insanity, women and girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
Medicines are the most popular treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If adhd in adult women treatment are not efficient or appropriate, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the most effective treatment is.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the way they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other conditions like depression and anxiety. Additionally, rating scales and interview methods for ADHD tend to focus on male behavior symptoms, so some female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Many women consider it to be a significant moment to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can offer an external explanation for their struggles and help them regain their sense of self-worth. Also knowing that they can reduce their condition and develop life skills that will help them for a long time can boost a woman's confidence.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best method for many women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies to cope and set realistic goals for all aspects of their lives. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help her learn to identify and change negative behavior and thoughts as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to set and respect personal boundaries. Some women may benefit by joining an ADHD support group to connect with women who have a similar disorder.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD are often left undiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms aren't like those of boys. They may mask their ADHD symptoms by implementing coping mechanisms that allow them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping strategies can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could prevent women from seeking diagnosis.
In addition to self-help strategies It is important to seek out an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and help girls and women to better understand the effects.
Women with ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and may develop depression or anxiety. This can be exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities in their early years, putting them at risk of unwelcome sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Mood fluctuations are also common among women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their family members to understand or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants improve focus and attention by speeding up the messages sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain uses certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. A doctor can modify these medications to ensure they work throughout the lifetime of a woman.
Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from self-help strategies like regular exercise, keeping an ongoing schedule, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations for school or work that could ease their symptoms.
It is important 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, low self-esteem and difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies that include relaxation and breathing techniques to ease symptoms and improve their lives. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is a matter of biology, which includes hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.