ADHD in women is mostly under diagnosed
. There are millions of women suffering in silence being misdiagnosed with issues of something else. This brain disorder presents a variety of challenges, including difficulties with focus, emotions and behavior.
While the more visible hyperactivity symptoms often displayed in men makes it easier to diagnose, women experience inattentive-type symptoms which are more difficult to recognise.
Many women remain diagnosed until adulthood. This ultimately leaves them in a phase of struggle to work and relate to others. Recognising the distinct ways in which ADHD symptoms appear in women is important for finding appropriate care or medical treatment. In this article, we look at main signs, causes, and management strategies for females with ADHD.
What is ADHD in Women?
ADHD is a brain development issue, a condition affecting how brain regulates focus, attention, emotional regulation and impulse control. Though it usually begins in childhood, although many women are not diagnosed until they reach adulthood, because their symptoms do not align with the classic presentation of the condition in men. Hormone changes and ADHD combined make this even more difficult, as hormones in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Women may experience unique difficulties because their executive dysfunction tends to present in ways that are more difficult to recognise. This results in ADHD being under diagnosed in females for decades.
What are the Key Symptoms of ADHD in Women?
The ADHD symptoms in women are often more subdued than they are in men, and much more likely to be overlooked. Here’s how the primary ADHD symptoms in women appear:
- Inattention: Women with ADHD often have focus issues, especially when it comes to topics that they aren’t interested in. They are also forgetful and absent-minded. This can affect work, school and interpersonal relationships, as women with these symptoms may tend to not complete assigned tasks or lose things.
- Hyperactivity: Women with ADHD unlike men will often have internal restlessness, instead of the overt, physical activity. They may feel like they constantly desire to be busy and may be overactive or appear distracted or overwhelmed. Although hyperactivity and impulsivity in women is less obvious, it is still disrupting their everyday activities.
- Impulsivity: Women with ADHD tend to act on a whim in social situations (interrupt, act on a whim, make spur of the moment decisions). This can be problematic in relationships or the workplace as spontaneous talks, self-restraint, and bursts of anger are common.
- Emotional Symptoms: Emotional control issues including mood swings, anxiety and feelings of overwhelm are common in women with ADHD. Other ADHD-related mental health conditions ( depression or anxiety) are more likely to co-occur with ADHD, making things even more complicated to deal with.
- Hormonal Changes and ADHD: Hormones and ADHD symptoms are interrelated. Hormonal changes that come with women’s menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause can contribute to more severe symptoms of ADHD.
What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of ADHD?
There are many genetic and environmental factors that contribute to ADHD.
- Genetic
- Brain Structure
- Hormonal Changes
- Environmental Stressors
- Sleep Issues
- Alcohol or tobacco intake during pregnancy
Diagnosis of ADHD in Females
ADHD in women can be more difficult to diagnose, as they are likely to be affected by other disorders like anxiety or depression, which can hinder the identification of symptoms. There are a variety of co-occurring conditions that women with ADHD experience (e.g., dyslexia or learning disabilities) or mental health synergistic with ADHD (anxiety, depression amongst others).
ADHD is under diagnosed in women because the symptoms tend to be less obvious or more puzzling. Women may also be suffering from co-morbidness such as learning challenges (e.g., dyslexia), or mental health problems (e.g. anxiety and depression) related to their ADHD.
ADHD is typically diagnosed through an evaluation process conducted by a medical professional that may include:
- Medical History: Further inquiries into past and present conditions and symptoms.
- Questionnaires: Personalised questionnaires for the assessment of ADHD symptoms.
- Interview: Interview people close to the family who can offer some insight.
Treatment and Management of ADHD
Following are some of the key treatments which can be used:
Medication:
- They can help improve focus and reduce impulsivity.
- Non-stimulant medication like Strategist is an alternative for women who can’t tolerate stimulants.
- Antidepressants such as Wellspring are sometimes used if patient suffer from ADHD-related mental health conditions like depression.
Therapies:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most successful treatment approach for this disorder.
- It gives women an opportunity to learn how to manage emotions and negative thoughts.
- Psychotherapy also provides emotional support and assistance with executive dysfunction and impulsivity.
Daily Life Management:
- Individuals struggling with disorganisation and maintaining a clean work space, will benefit from visual reminders and may find sticky notes helpful.
- Make a list and segment them into smaller, more manageable bites and it reduces the overwhelm greatly.
Workplace and Relationship Tips:
- At work, women with ADHD can request accommodations for ADHD, such as more time to complete assignments or a less distracting workspace.
- In relationships, good communication and support can help you to avoid impulsiveness and emotional management issues connected with ADHD.
Final Words
ADHD in women is often under diagnosed and misunderstood, but it causes overwhelming problems with the daily grind. An understanding of the etiologies of ADHD in girls, the combination of symptoms, the differential diagnosis, and the approaches to treatment is important for effective management.
By focusing on personalised treatments, both medicinal and non-medicinal like therapy and ways of self-management, women can overcome their ADHD and thrive.
Indeed, given the right support and knowledge, women can feel empowered by their ADHD rather than overwhelmed by it. ADHD identification and care is very important for improving people’s lives, and with good care, women with the condition can lead great lives.
With support and information, women are able to flip their ADHD from a liability to an asset. An accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of ADHD is essential; women with ADHD can lead healthy and fulfilling lives with appropriate treatment.
FAQs
How can we treat ADHD in females?
CBT, stimulant or non-stimulant medications, and learning self-management techniques are considered some of the most effective treatments for managing ADHD in females.
How to manage ADHD symptoms in women?
Managing ADHD symptoms in women means implementing coping strategies, such as reminder systems and, breaking down tasks, and seeking professional therapy to help you manage your emotions and executive functioning.
What type of ADHD do women have?
It is difficult to live with ADHD as a woman – symptoms include inattention, emotional regularisation and masking one’s own behaviours to fit in, which can lead to under-diagnosis and difficulties at work or in relationships.
