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ADHD in Women and Girls Girls and women who suffer from ADHD are subjected to a different set societal expectations compared to men. These expectations can cause people to feel ashamed 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 at school, and also improve self-esteem. Symptoms Women who suffer from ADHD often experience symptoms like trouble staying organized, trouble remembering details, difficulty working in noisy or crowded environments. They may also struggle with emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often compounded by the expectations that are associated with being female, for example, the demands of society and family roles. Women who suffer from ADHD might have a tougher in getting diagnosed and treated because of these difficulties. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed because they do not meet the requirements. The symptoms must have been present since childhood and last at least six month to be considered ADHD. It is also important to recognize that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD as well, such as stress and certain medications. Women with ADHD tend to mask symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons they are not diagnosed. They may use coping strategies to hide their symptoms, for example, pretending that they aren't stressed or coping with symptoms that are easy to detect in males and females. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, like depression or anxiety, which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms. A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason for why women suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on ratings scales and interviews which are biased toward male behavior 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. Some women suffering from ADHD have the inattentive subtype, and this type is more difficult to diagnose because it's more internalfor example, daydreaming or having trouble staying focused on tasks. However, due to the increased awareness of ADHD among women, aided by influencers and high-profile women such as Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessments and seeking out the needed help. Women with ADHD are more likely to develop rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened and often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived more than women with ADHD. This can cause issues in relationships and a lack of support and a reluctance for women to ask for help. Diagnosis Women are often not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to their ability hide their symptoms and gender bias. Gender bias is a set beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that adversely affect how clinicians identify girls and women with ADHD. It can be in the form of rating scales that are biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that cause incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who suffer from inattentive ADHD typically have difficulty staying focused in lectures at college or business meetings, and they may have trouble staying on task at home or in their personal relationships. They may have homes that are cluttered or forget appointments, and fail to pay bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when facing rejection or failure. The symptoms can also change at different times of life. For instance, they can worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or during the lead-up to menopause as hormonal changes can cause increased irritability and mood swings. Women with ADHD may also experience difficulties in their romantic relationships because of their impulsivity and insufficient planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships due to social sensitivities to rejection. They could be more at risk of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancies because they have difficulty insisting that their partners use contraception. Making an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can be reduced by medication, such as stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can be beneficial as well. Your doctor will take into account any other health conditions you have and your medication history when choosing a treatment plan. You may also be required to make lifestyle changes and receive counseling. You can help by tracking your symptoms and keeping your doctors aware of any changes you notice in yourself. You can also speak to your family and friends about any issues you're experiencing because they might be able to identify something you did not notice. A diagnosis can help you build self-esteem and feel more in control. Treatment Women with untreated ADHD might have difficulty performing at work and maintain healthy relationships and take care of household chores. Symptoms can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem and guilt, especially since societal expectations often expect women to take care of. In addition, because of their tendency to be impulsive, women and girls with untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behaviors or becoming victims of violence from intimate partners than their peers who don't suffer from the disorder. Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated with medications. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines, help to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. If they aren't efficient or appropriate, healthcare professionals can prescribe non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or guanfacine. A healthcare professional will evaluate the woman's needs, symptoms and history to determine the best course of action. While women are diagnosed with ADHD at a similar rate as men however, they are often under-diagnosed due to the way they hide their symptoms or mask them with other illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The scales used to rate ADHD and the techniques used to interview are biased towards male behavior. This results in some female symptoms being misinterpreted or not being identified. Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a rationale for the difficulties they confront and help them regain their self-worth. Additionally, knowing that they can improve their symptoms and build life skills that will help them for a long time can boost confidence of women. For many women, the best way to learn how to deal with their ADHD is to use the combination of behavioral strategies and mental health treatments. Therapy can help women develop coping mechanisms and create realistic goals for her to achieve in each area of her life. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist her in identifying and modify negative attitudes and behaviors, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and the ability to establish and adhere to personal boundaries. Additionally, some women might benefit from joining an ADHD support group to make connections with others who understand the condition. Self-help Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms don't look the same as those of boys. They can disguise their ADHD traits by developing strategies to cope that enable them to appear “normal” and conform to societal norms. These strategies of coping are both healthy and unhealthy, but they may prevent women from seeking diagnosis. In addition to self-help techniques It is essential to consult an experienced healthcare professional who is specialized in treating ADHD in females. They can diagnose and treat this condition and help girls and women better understand its consequences. Females with ADHD tend to develop depression and anxiety, and they can also struggle to maintain close relationships. adult add in women can be made worse 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, which can make it difficult for loved ones to accept them or to support them. Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most commonly used treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can improve concentration and focus by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how certain chemicals in the brain, including neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate mood, are utilized to regulate emotions and moods. A healthcare provider can adjust these medications to ensure they're effective throughout the lifetime of a woman. Girls and women with ADHD can benefit from self-help methods like regular exercise, keeping an ongoing schedule, making reminders, or focusing on mindfulness. They can also find out about accommodations for school or work that could ease their symptoms. It's important for girls and women suffering from ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the disorder, as they can help with a variety of other symptoms, including emotional distress and low self-esteem, trouble making or maintaining relationships and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping methods like breathing and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Verywell Health recognizes that sex is biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender can be determined by the way you behave and appearance.