ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are governed by different expectations from society as compared to males. These expectations can lead women and girls with ADHD to feel shame and blame themselves. Treatment should take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Medication, lifestyle adjustments and therapy can improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD typically experience symptoms such as trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or busy environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being a woman, such as the demands of society and family roles.
These challenges can make it harder for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed as they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood, and they must last for at least six months to be eligible for a diagnosis. It's important to understand that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
One of the biggest reasons why women with ADHD are underdiagnosed is that they tend to cover up their symptoms. They may resort to coping strategies to disguise their symptoms, such as trying to pretend they aren't stressed or overcompensating with symptoms that are easy to detect in males and boys. Moreover they are more likely to have a mental health issue that affects their mood or emotions, including anxiety or depression, which can be ignored as an ADHD symptom.
A bias against ADHD in the medical community could also be the reason for why women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviewing which are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem, and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to diagnose because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or dreaming. However, with increased high functioning adhd in women of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking tests and seeking out the needed help.
Women with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection - an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether it is real or perceived - than women without ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships and the lack of support and a reluctance to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are frequently not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that negatively affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. This could take the form of scales for rating that are biased towards male behavior, or by internalized feelings that lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may also have difficulty staying on task 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 might be easily distracted by social interactions, and may have trouble managing their emotions when confronted with rejection or failure.
It is also possible that symptoms change during different stages of life. They may be more severe, for example, during a woman’s menstrual period or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause more irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships with loved ones because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they may struggle to maintain friendships due to social rejection sensitivity. They might be at risk of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned because they are unable to insist that their partners use contraception.
A clear diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine may be beneficial as well. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you have and your history of medication when deciding the best treatment plan. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors updated on any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues that you have with your friends and family members, because they may be able to identify things you may have missed. A diagnosis can be a significant step in building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life.
Treatment
Women living with untreated ADHD may struggle to perform at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. The symptoms can also cause feelings of low self-esteem and shame, particularly since the norms of society often require women to take care of. In addition, due to their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are at greater risk of engaging in sexually risky behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who don't suffer from the disorder.
The most commonly used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to control brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications aren't suitable, healthcare professionals may prescribe nonstimulant medications, such as atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze a woman's symptoms, needs and history to determine what the best treatment plan is.
While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or cover them with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, rating scales and interview techniques for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior symptoms, so certain female symptoms are incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be an important moment of recognition for many women. It can provide an external explanation for the challenges they face and boost their self-esteem. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing they can improve symptoms and acquire life skills that will benefit them well into their old age.
Combining behavioral strategies and mental health treatments is the most effective way for women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help women develop strategies to cope and achieve 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 thoughts and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase awareness and the ability to establish and respect personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to meet with other people who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD often remain undiagnosed for long periods of time since their symptoms don't appear like those of boys. They may hide their ADHD symptoms by implementing coping mechanisms that permit them to appear "normal" and conform to social norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but can hinder women from seeking an diagnosis.
In addition to self-help methods It is essential to seek out an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can assist in diagnosing and treat the condition and provide a better understanding of its effects on women and girls.
Women with ADHD can struggle to maintain close relationships and develop depression or anxiety. These issues are complicated by their tendency to become sexually active at an earlier age, which can put them at risk of having unintentional sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Women who suffer from ADHD are also prone to mood swings, which makes it difficult to make their loved ones be able to understand or help them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to manage moods and emotions. A doctor can alter these medications to ensure they work throughout the life of a woman.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a range of self-help methods, such as regular exercise making a daily schedule or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also inquire about accommodations that could assist in managing their symptoms at school or at work.
It is important that girls and women suffering from ADHD find a clinician or therapist with experience in the condition. They can assist with other symptoms, such as anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulties making or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping skills, including breathing techniques and relaxation to ease symptoms and improve their quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, such as hormones and chromosomes, but the gender is an internal perception of self, which can be assigned at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.