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Women and girls with ADHD are governed by 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, hormone fluctuations, and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can improve your relationships and performance at work and in school, and also improve self-esteem.
Signs and symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD might have issues such as staying organized, forgetting details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded areas. They might also experience emotional dysregulation, and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, social norms and family obligations.
Women who suffer from ADHD may have a harder to be diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they don't meet the requirements. Symptoms have to be present since childhood, and they should last for at least six months before they be considered a valid diagnosis. It's important to know that stress and certain medications can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms and this is one of the main reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they may pretend that they don't feel stressed or overstate symptoms that are more visible for both genders. In addition, they are more likely to have mental health issues that affects their mood or emotions, like anxiety or depression, which is often dismissed as an ADHD sign.
A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason for why women suffering from ADHD aren't recognized as having ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on rating scales and interviews which tend to favor male behaviors and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD suffer from an internalized stigma and low self-esteem and are less likely to seek evaluation or treatment for their symptoms.
Certain women with ADHD have the inattentive type, and this type of ADHD can be difficult to identify due to its more internal naturefor example, daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on their tasks. With the increasing awareness of ADHD among women, and aided by high-profile women such as Em Rusciano and Mia Freedman, more women are seeking help.
Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to develop sensitivity to rejection which is a strong and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether real or perceived - than those who do not have ADHD. This can cause problems in relationships with others, the lack of support and a reluctance to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women often go undiagnosed for ADHD well into adulthood. This could be due to their ability conceal their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of assumptions and practices in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify girls and women with ADHD. This could take the form of scales for rating which are biased toward male behavior, or through internalized feelings that can lead to confusion about the diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing during business meetings or college lectures. They may also struggle to stay on track in their private relationships or at home. They might have messy homes and forget appointments and fail to pay bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, particularly when they are faced with rejection or failure.
The symptoms can also change in different seasons of life. For example, they may get worse during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopause which can increase irritability and mood fluctuations. Women with ADHD may also have difficulties in their relationships with loved ones due to their impulsivity and lack of preparation, or they may struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They may be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity, and of having pregnancies that are not planned due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives.
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine can help too. Your doctor will consider any other health issues you suffer from as well as your medical history when deciding on the best treatment plan. You may also need to change your lifestyle and seek counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your physician aware of any changes you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your family and friends members, as they could be able to detect things you may have 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 suffering from ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing their home and maintaining healthy relationships or performing well at work. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of self-esteem loss and self-esteem, particularly as society's expectations typically require women to take care of. In addition, because of their insanity, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of intimate partner violence as compared to their peers who do not suffer from the disorder.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate healthcare professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's symptoms, needs and medical history to determine the most effective method of treatment.
Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as men, they are consistently under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or mask them with other illnesses like depression and anxiety. The rating scales for ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior. This can lead to female symptoms being misinterpreted or not identified.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for many women. It can provide a external explanation for their problems and restore their sense of self-worth. Women's confidence can be increased by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and acquire life skills that will help them into old age.
For many women, the best way to learn how to cope with their ADHD is through a combination of strategies for managing behavior and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women build coping strategies and establish realistic goals that she can achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), which helps her recognize and alter negative thoughts. It can also be achieved through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the ability of setting and respecting personal boundaries. Furthermore, some women could benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who are aware of the condition.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms are not the same as those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD symptoms by employing coping strategies to appear "normal" or to conform to societal norms. These coping strategies can be healthy or unhealthy, but could prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
It's important as well as self-help strategies to seek treatment from a healthcare provider that specializes in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition and assist women and girls to better understand the consequences.
Women suffering from ADHD are often unable to maintain close relationships and may develop anxiety or depression. This is exacerbated due to the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities in their early years, putting them at risk of sexually inappropriate encounters and violence from their intimate partners. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD and can make it difficult for their loved ones to understand or help them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are psychostimulants and antidepressants. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which may improve focus and attention. Antidepressants change the way the brain uses certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters to regulate moods and emotions. The dosage of these medications can be altered by a healthcare provider to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the woman's lifetime.
Women and girls with ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, and focusing on mindfulness. They can also learn about accommodations that could assist in managing their symptoms at work or school.
It's important for women and girls with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the disorder, as they can help with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional stress and low self-esteem, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and difficulties at work or in school. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing techniques and relaxation techniques, to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including chromosomes and hormones, but the gender is an internal sense of self that is assigned at birth or determined by a person's behavior and appearance.