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https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-in-women/
ADHD Traits in Women There is a significant gap in the treatment diagnosis and support for ADHD and that gap usually occurs with women It is essential for women and girls that they understand that their issues can be equally real and complex as those of men and require the same attention Fortunately research is beginning to acknowledge and address genderspecific characteristics These traits can have a negative impact on selfesteem relationships and overall performance 1 Genderspecific symptoms There are a myriad of genderspecific characteristics that can affect womens experiences with adhd adult add in women include fluctuating hormones as well as social expectations as well as the tendency to selfdoubt or selfharm Hormonal changes especially in the late teens and early adulthood can exacerbate ADHD symptoms For example fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen can lead to emotional imbalances irritability and sleep problems as well as poor concentration This can cause symptoms of ADHD and menstrual flow in teenagers and alter the treatment plan Genderspecific factors also influence the appearance and severity of ADHD symptoms with a higher frequency and intensity of negative symptoms particularly irritability and anxiety Women need to be aware of the connection between ADHD symptoms and ovarian hormones so they can get the correct treatment as quickly as possible The many responsibilities of women including work family life and home management requires consistent coordination of executive tasks As women have to cope with these demands they often become trapped in a cycle selfblame and shame This can lead to a rise in the tendency to depression anxiety impulsivity and depression that can develop in ADHD patients Despite increasing awareness of ADHD and rising rates of diagnosis women suffer from ADHD in a large proportion They are more likely to be suffering from low selfesteem chronic stress and comorbid mental health issues such as bipolar disorder and depression These symptoms can make it difficult for women to lead a normal life and can put her at risk of suffering from poor mental health ADHD sufferers should seek professional help While most women with adhd can be diagnosed and treated however more research is required to learn about the genderspecific aspects It is crucial to know the way that social expectations hormone fluctuations selfdoubt shame and shame can affect womens ADHD experiences so that more treatments are possible It is also essential to keep in mind that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that means the symptoms can alter over the course of ones life This is why it is essential to seek treatment early stage when the symptoms are the most severe and affecting your daily routine 2 Strategies for genderspecific coping While ADHD is believed to be a common condition for both genders however it is three times more common in males This gap in diagnosis and treatment has been a major source of anxiety for many women and girls throughout their lives As women progress through adulthood and become more mature they can develop additional strategies for coping to reduce their ADHD symptoms and reduce the effects of the condition These strategies may be effective or ineffective depending on the individual For fear of judgment and social backlash ADHD sufferers may try to hide their symptoms or behavior such as hyperactivity or impulsiveness This can lead to problems at school and in relationships ADHD women often have trouble balancing multiple roles at work as well as at home These demands can cause them to feel stressed overwhelmed and unprepared to cope with daily chores Females who suffer from ADHD need to be aware that their strategies for managing ADHD may differ from those used by males For instance females may require the assistance of an professional organizer or assistant to handle some of the tasks that fall on their shoulders This can reduce anxiety and stress It also helps them focus on their main goals Ultimately these strategies can prove extremely beneficial and even lifesaving for women suffering from ADHD These strategies arent straightforward to implement and should be customized for each person Talking to a mental health professional who specializes in treating women with adhd is the best method to ensure you are using the appropriate coping strategies They can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses so you can use your coping strategies to achieve your goals It is important to comprehend the role hormones play in ADHD symptoms This knowledge will help you determine the best treatment and medication to meet your specific needs It will also assist you to avoid medicines that cause negative side effects or cause negative health outcomes 3 Genderspecific relationships ADHD treatment and symptoms can differ for women and girls This can be due to genderspecific manifestation of ADHD symptoms a greater chance of having coexisting anxiety or affective disorders and the development of coping strategies that mask symptoms or lead to selfharm Females are also more likely to be suffering from problems with eating disorders substance abuse and chronic fatigue syndrome They also have higher incidences of depression which is often seen with ADHD The distinct manifestation of ADHD in girls and women is a sign of a gap in our understanding of the disease To make a correct diagnosis its essential that doctors recognize the subtle and internalized manifestations of ADHD The identification of females who have ADHD is vital to avoid mistakes and delays in referral genderspecific differences in ADHD manifestations are attributed to a variety aspects some of which are that are culturally rooted For example studies have revealed that women are taught to be more sensitive and emotional in their communication They are more sensitive to nonverbal cues and are more likely to smile and laugh Other factors that may influence the manifestation of ADHD in women are hormonal changes and fluctuating levels of estrogen Estrogen can affect dopamine levels which is the brain chemical most closely connected to the symptoms of ADHD Females who have fluctuating levels of estrogen might have difficulty controlling them which could cause an increase in impulsivity or anger ADHD can also be influenced by a womans relationships with her husband child or partner Mothers who are overwhelmed by parenting may experience more anxiety and depression than mothers who are able to manage their stress This could lead to an inability to seek assistance which could cause a negative outcome for her daughter or spouse It is also possible that she develops an underlying sense of shame over her symptoms and struggle to seek help Despite the issues women with ADHD often find friendships that provide them with support It can help them find peace and healing by connecting with a person who accepts her for who she is In times of stress like when a child suffers from ADHD it is crucial to have the support of a close friend or partner 4 Genderspecific stress There are distinct physiological stress responses for men and women which involve activation of the sympathetic nerve system and HPA axis They are also different in how they interpret stressful events and their coping strategies There are many factors that influence this variance in the stress response including social class age and gender as well as culture and genetics There is evidence to suggest that males are more prone to fight or flight when faced with stressful situations whereas females are more likely to develop attachmentrelated caregiving processes and protect both the sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis This suggests that women may be more prone to stressrelated issues than men The study of the effects of stress on attention showed that those with high levels of chronic academic stress did poorly or slow in topdown attention tasks CONVIRT Females did better on these tests Similar to this a study examined heart rate variability and discovered that heart rate variability was a factor in the relationship between the emotional reactivity index ERI and saccadic reaction time SACVR Reactivity to emotional stress is a major sign of adhd but it is not the only one The presence of other signs like social anxiety and low selfesteem can make it more difficult for people suffering from adhd to control their emotions A number of studies have revealed that women with adhd are more likely to experience depression than those with the condition Additionally there are additional risks associated with ADHD which can affect women and men Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely than men to experience suicidal ideas or attempts They are also more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs and are in lower physical health These risks can be mitigated with the right support and intervention There is no reason for women suffering from ADHD to be denied treatment and diagnosis This is particularly true for emotional reactivity and stress symptoms While there is evidence suggesting that differences in sex in neural responses to stress could be related to these behaviors its unclear how this information connects to the fundamental mechanisms involved in emotion regulation and reactivity between men and women