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ADHD in Women and Girls Girls and women with ADHD face a different set of societal expectations than men, and these expectations can cause shame and self-blame. Treatment must take into account gender stereotypes, hormone fluctuations and symptom intensity. Treatment, lifestyle changes and therapy can help improve relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. Symptoms Women who suffer from ADHD may have issues such as organizing their lives, forgetting important details and having difficulty working in noisy or crowded settings. They can also experience emotional dysregulation and feel overwhelmed. These feelings are often exacerbated by the expectations of being a woman, such as social norms and family obligations. These challenges can make it harder for women with ADHD to be diagnosed and treated. Many people suffering from ADHD are misdiagnosed since they do not meet the criteria. The symptoms must be present since childhood and last for at least six month to be considered ADHD. It's also important to understand that other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms as ADHD that include stress and certain medications. Women suffering from ADHD tend to cover up their symptoms as a result, which is one of the main reasons why they aren't diagnosed. They might resort to coping strategies to hide their symptoms. For example they might claim that they are not stressed or overstate symptoms that are more visible for both genders. They are also more likely to be suffering from mental illness that affects their emotions and mood, such as anxiety or depression, which can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms. A bias against ADHD within the medical field may also be a reason why women with 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 behaviors and symptoms. Many women suffering from ADHD suffer from internalized stigma, low self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment or an evaluation for their symptoms. Inattentive women can be more difficult to diagnose, as they may have difficulty working or focusing on their tasks, or even dreaming. However, with increased awareness of ADHD in women fueled by influencers and high-profile women like Mia Freedman and Em Rusciano many women are seeking assessment and seeking assistance. Women with ADHD have a higher tendency to develop sensitivity to rejection which is a strong, often uncontrollable reaction to rejection, whether real or perceived who do not suffer from ADHD. This can cause problems with relationships with others and result in an absence of support networks and a failure to reach out for help. Diagnosis Women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. This could be due to their ability to hide their symptoms, and because of gender bias. Gender bias is a set of beliefs and practices that are prevalent in clinical settings that adversely affect how doctors identify women and girls suffering from ADHD. This can take form in the form of rating scales that tend to be biased towards male behavior or internalized thoughts that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Girls and women who are inattentive ADHD may have trouble focusing on business meetings or college classes, and could also struggle to stay on track in their private relationships or at home. They may have homes that are cluttered, forget appointments and aren't able to pay their bills on time. They may be easily distracted by social interactions and struggle to control their emotions, especially when they are faced with rejection or failure. The symptoms can also be different throughout the course of life. For example, they may worsen during a woman's menstrual cycle or in the run-up to menopausal which can trigger irritability as well as mood swings. Women with ADHD may also have issues in their relationships with partners because of their impulsivity and lack of planning, or they could struggle to maintain friendships because of social rejection sensitivity. They may be at a higher chance of being pressured into sexual activity and of having unplanned pregnancies due to their difficulty in insisting that their partners take contraceptives. Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be controlled with medication, for example, stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also be beneficial. When deciding on a treatment, your doctor will take into consideration any other health issues and the history of medications you've had. You might also need counseling or changes to your lifestyle. You can assist by keeping track of your symptoms and keeping your doctor aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. You can also discuss any issues you have with your family members and friends members, because they may be able to identify things that you're not aware of. A diagnosis can be a significant step towards building confidence in yourself and feeling more in control of your life. Treatment Women with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulties managing their home or maintaining healthy relationships or being productive at work. The symptoms can also trigger feelings such as low self-esteem or guilt, particularly since women are typically expected to be caregivers. In addition, because of their impulsivity, girls and women who suffer from untreated ADHD are more prone for engaging in unsafe sexual behavior or being victims of violence from intimate partners than those who do not suffer from the disorder. Adults with ADHD are usually treated by medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines aid in regulating brain activity and reduce symptoms. If these medications are not effective or appropriate medical professionals can prescribe nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine. A healthcare professional will analyze the woman's symptoms, requirements and past medical history to determine the best treatment plan is. Although women are diagnosed with ADHD at the same rate as males however, they are often under-diagnosed because of the way they hide their symptoms or disguise them with other disorders such as anxiety and depression. In addition, the scales of rating and interview techniques for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, which means that some female symptoms are not recognized or understood. Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a crucial moment of recognition for a lot of women. It can provide a external explanation for their struggles and help them feel more confident about their self-worth. Women's confidence can be improved by knowing that they can overcome symptoms and learn life skills that can benefit them throughout their age. Combining strategies for managing behavior with mental health therapies is the most effective way for women to overcome their struggles with ADHD. Therapy can assist women in developing strategies for coping and achieve realistic goals in all areas of their lives. This can be accomplished through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists her recognize and alter negative thoughts, as well as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which improves mindfulness and the capability to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Moreover, some women may benefit from finding an ADHD support group to connect with others who understand the condition. Self-help Women who suffer from ADHD are often misdiagnosed since their symptoms do not look like those of boys. They may mask their ADHD characteristics by implementing strategies to cope that permit them to appear “normal” and conform to societal norms. These coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy, but they can prevent women from seeking the diagnosis. In addition to self-help techniques It is important to consult a healthcare provider who specializes in treating ADHD in females. They can help diagnose and treat the condition, and help you understand its impacts on girls and women. Females who suffer from ADHD frequently experience depression and anxiety as well as struggle to maintain close relationships. These issues can be further complicated by their propensity to become sexually active at a younger age, which can put them at risk of having unintentional sexual encounters or intimate partner violence. Mood swings are also common in women suffering from ADHD, which can make it difficult for their loved ones to comprehend or help them. Psychostimulants and antidepressants are the most common treatments for ADHD. Psychostimulants can help improve focus and attention by speeding up signals sent to your brain. Antidepressants alter how the brain utilizes certain chemicals, like neurotransmitters, to regulate emotions and moods. These medications can be adjusted by a doctor to ensure that they are effective throughout the woman's lifetime. Girls and women who suffer from ADHD can benefit from a variety of self-help methods, such as regular exercise, keeping a daily schedule or reminders, as well as practicing mindfulness. inattentive add in women can also find out about accommodations that can assist in managing their symptoms at school or at work. It's important for women and girls with ADHD to seek out a therapist and therapist who is experienced with the condition, since they can help with a variety of other symptoms, such as emotional distress and low self-esteem, difficulties finding or maintaining relationships, and issues at school or at work. They can also teach coping techniques that include breathing and relaxation techniques, to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. Verywell Health acknowledges that sex refers to biology, including hormones and chromosomes, but that gender is an internal sense of self that can be established at birth or by the person's behavior and appearance.