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ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women with ADHD have a different set of societal expectations than men, and those expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone changes and the severity of symptoms.
Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might suffer from symptoms like difficulty staying organized, forgetting details and having trouble working in noisy or crowded environments. They can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, societal demands and family roles.
These challenges can make it difficult for women suffering from ADHD to get diagnosed and treated. Many people with ADHD have been misdiagnosed, because they don't meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and be present for at least six months in order to qualify as ADHD. It is important to be aware that stress and certain medications may cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to mask symptoms, which is one of the primary reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use coping mechanisms to disguise their symptoms, for example, trying to pretend they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easier to spot in both males and boys. They are also more likely to suffer from mental illness that affects their mood and mood, like anxiety or depression. These can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession could also be the reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD relies on rating scales and interviewing that tend to favor male behaviour and symptoms. Many women with ADHD suffer from internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or evaluate their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to identify, because they may have trouble working or focusing on their tasks, or even daydreaming. However, with increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano, more women are seeking assessments and seeking help.
Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reactivity to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. This can cause problems with interpersonal relationships and can lead to a lack of support networks and an inability to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms, and because of gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that can negatively impact the way that clinicians diagnose girls and women with ADHD. This can be in the form of scales for rating that are biased towards male behavior, or through internalized emotions that can lead to misdiagnosis. Girls and women who have inattentive ADHD frequently have trouble attending to college lectures or business meetings, and they may struggle to stay on task at home or in their relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They might get easily distracted in social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also alter at different times of life. For instance, they can get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the transition to menopause, when hormone changes can increase irritability and mood swings. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships due to of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they may struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They are more likely to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or to have unplanned pregnancy in the event that they are unable insist that their partners use contraception.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Treatment, such as stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate can ease symptoms. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine could also be helpful. Your doctor will take into account any other health issues you suffer from and your history of medication when deciding a treatment plan. You may also require counseling or changes to your lifestyle. adhd in older women can aid in tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctor informed about any changes you notice in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any problems you are having as they might be able to spot something you did not notice. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and manage household chores. The symptoms can also trigger feelings of self-esteem issues or shame, especially since women are typically expected to be caregivers. Additionally, due to their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are at greater risk for engaging in dangerous sexual behavior or being victims of intimate partner violence than their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated by medication. Stimulant medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate assist in controlling brain activity and control the symptoms. If these drugs aren't suitable or effective, healthcare providers can prescribe nonstimulant medication, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will assess the woman's needs, symptoms and medical history to determine the most effective option for her.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males but they are not always diagnosed due to the ways they conceal their symptoms or mask them with other conditions such as anxiety and depression. The scales of rating for ADHD and the methods used to conduct interviews are biased towards male behavior. This leads to some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Many women consider it an important time to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grow older. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and restore their sense of self-worth. Also, knowing that they can improve their health and develop abilities that will last throughout their lives can boost confidence of women.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the best way for women to learn to cope with ADHD. Therapy can help a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals to accomplish in all areas of her life. This can be achieved through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavioral treatment (DBT), which increases mindfulness and the ability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Some women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group to connect with other women who understand the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD often remain undiagnosed for long periods of time because their symptoms don't look like those of boys. women and adhd may conceal their ADHD characteristics by using coping strategies to appear "normal" or to meet the norms of society. These strategies of coping can be healthy as well as unhealthy, but they could stop women from seeking treatment.
It is important, in addition to self-help methods to seek out the help of a medical professional who is specialized in treating ADHD for females. They can diagnose and treat this disorder, as well as help women and girls better understand its effects.
Females suffering from ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression and may struggle to maintain relationships with their loved ones. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which puts them at risk for unwanted sexual interactions or violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also susceptible to mood swings, which can make it difficult for their loved ones understand them or support them.
Antidepressants and psychostimulants are the most frequently used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which can improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter the way that certain chemicals in the brain, such as neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. They can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure maximum effectiveness throughout a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may benefit from self-help strategies like regular exercise, keeping an agenda for the day, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It is essential that girls and women with ADHD find a doctor or therapist with experience in the condition. They can help with other symptoms, such as anxiety or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties finding or maintaining relationships. They can also teach coping strategies such as relaxation and breathing techniques, to help reduce symptoms and improve their 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 behaviour and appearance.
