Watch Out: How ADHD In Adults Women Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
ADHD in Women and Girls
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD face different social expectations than men, and these expectations can result in shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem.
Symptoms
Women who suffer from ADHD often have symptoms like problems staying organized, difficulty remembering details, and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They might also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings can be made worse by the expectations women have to meet, such as family and societal roles.
Women who suffer from ADHD might have a tougher to be diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and must last for at least six months to be considered ADHD. It's also important to know that other illnesses and conditions may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, including stress and certain medications.
Women suffering from ADHD tend to hide their symptoms and this is one of the primary reasons they aren't diagnosed. They may resort to strategies to cover up their symptoms. For instance, they might pretend that they're not stressed or exaggerate symptoms that are more visible for both genders. They are also more likely to be suffering from a mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like depression or anxiety, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms.
A bias against ADHD in the medical profession 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 and these tools are biased towards male behavior and symptoms. Additionally, many women suffering from ADHD are afflicted with an internalized stigma and low self-esteem, making them less willing to seek treatment or evaluation for their symptoms.
Women who are not attentive can be more difficult to identify, because they may have trouble focusing on tasks or dreaming. But, with the growing awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women, such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessment and seeking out the needed help.
adhd in adult women treatment with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop rejection sensitivity - an intense and often uncontrollable response to rejection, whether it is real or perceived who do not suffer from ADHD. This can lead to problems in relationships and the lack of support and a reluctance to seek assistance.
Diagnosis
Women are not often diagnosed with ADHD until the age of adulthood. This is likely due to their ability to disguise their symptoms, and due to gender bias. Gender bias refers to a set of beliefs and practices in clinical settings that negatively affect how doctors identify women and girls with ADHD. It can take the form of rating scales which are biased toward male behavior, or by internalized emotions that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. Women and girls with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty focusing in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may be unable to stay on task in their personal relationships or at home. They may have messy homes, forget their appointments and fail to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to manage their emotions, especially when faced with rejection or disappointment.
The symptoms can also change throughout the course of life. They can become more severe in the course of the menstrual cycle of women or during the time leading up to menopausal symptoms, when hormonal changes can cause increased the irritability. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their relationships because of their impulsivity and inadequate preparation, or they could struggle to keep friendships going due to social rejection sensitivity. They could be more prone to be pushed to engage in sexual activity or have unplanned pregnancies when they are unable to insist on their partners using contraception.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be diminished with medication, such as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate. Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, may be beneficial too. Your doctor will consider any other health conditions you have and your medical history when deciding on the best treatment plan. You might also need counseling or lifestyle changes. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your physician informed about any changes that you notice in yourself. You can discuss any issues you have with your friends and family members, because they may be able to identify things that you might miss. A diagnosis can aid in building self-esteem and feel more in control.
Treatment
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of household chores. These symptoms can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues or a sense of shame, particularly as women are typically expected to be caregivers. Because of their impulsivity and increased risk of violence in intimate relationships, women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior or become victims of partner abuse.
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. The stimulant medications, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate, aid to regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications aren't effective or appropriate medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant medication like atomoxetine or Guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate a woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the most effective option for her.
Women are diagnosed with ADHD in the same proportion as males. However, they are under-diagnosed because they tend to hide their symptoms and mask them with other disorders like depression or anxiety. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that women's symptoms can be incorrectly identified or misinterpreted.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a significant moment of acknowledgment for a lot of women. It can provide a reason external for the difficulties they confront and restore their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing they can improve symptoms and develop life skills that will benefit them well into their old age.
Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health treatments is the best method for women to deal with ADHD. Therapy can assist a woman build coping strategies and establish realistic goals that she can achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps her to identify and overcome negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which can increase mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Women may also benefit from joining an ADHD support group in order to meet women who are also affected by the disorder.
Self-help
Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms are not like those of boys. They may conceal their ADHD traits using coping mechanisms to appear "normal" or to meet social norms. These coping mechanisms could be healthy or unhealthy, but can prevent women from seeking the diagnosis.
In addition to self-help techniques, it's important to seek out a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They are able to diagnose and treat this condition, and help girls and women to better understand the effects.
Females with ADHD frequently experience anxiety and depression as well as struggle to maintain relationships. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are more likely to engage in sexual activity in their early years, putting them at risk of unwanted sexual encounters and violence from intimate partners. Women with ADHD are also prone to mood swings that can make it difficult for their loved ones accept them or to support them.
The most common treatments for ADHD are antidepressants and psychostimulants. Psychostimulants increase the speed of messages sent to the brain, which may improve concentration and attention. Antidepressants alter the way certain chemicals in the brain, like neurotransmitters as well as mood-regulating hormones are used to regulate emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the course of a woman's life.
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety self-help strategies, such as regular exercise and keeping a daily calendar or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. They can also find out about the various accommodations available at school or work that can help them manage their symptoms.
It is important that girls and women with ADHD find a clinician or therapist who has experience with the condition. They can assist with other symptoms, such as depression, emotional stress or low self-esteem, as well as difficulties in maintaining or establishing relationships. They can also teach coping techniques like breathing and relaxation techniques, to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including chromosomes and hormones, but that gender is an internal sense of self that can be given at birth or determined by the person's behavior and appearance.