Buy etizolam online.People who identify as female may be less likely to be properly diagnosed with ADHD because of the different ways it presents in women. Provider bias also plays a role—we tend to think of ADHD as a condition that affects boys, so girls with ADHD fly under the radar until they hit adulthood.
Thankfully, this bias is slowly, but surely, changing. Understanding the unique ways that ADHD can manifest in women is essential to helping them get the diagnosis—and treatment—that they need and deserve.
How ADHD Differs in Females
Research shows that the difference in ADHD diagnosis between sexes isn’t just related to provider bias. ADHD traits in women can actually look differently than they do in males. It’s important to understand how this disorder presents in women to be able to get the right diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Depression and Anxiety
ADHD can come with a lot of shame and frustration. Males are more likely to externalize those feelings, which can lead them to be diagnosed with co-occurring conditions like conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
Females, on the other hand, are more likely to present with internalizing symptoms. These feelings of shame and frustration can affect their self-esteem. Rather than getting angry at the world for putting high demands on them, they may blame themselves and label themselves as “stupid” or “lazy.” Unfortunately, this means that women with ADHD are much more likely to also live with depression and anxiety.
Often, these co-occurring conditions are what drive women with ADHD to initially seek treatment. Depression and anxiety can also often mask the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cause misdiagnosis.
Hormone Fluctuations and the Menstrual Cycle
Although we need more research, one recent study also found that females who menstruate may experience ADHD symptoms differently [3*]
than men, particularly during the hormonal changes of puberty and at certain times in their menstrual cycle. The authors suggested that this was, in large part, due to the interaction between estrogen and the limbic system, which regulates emotions.
More specifically, when estrogen levels drop—such as during the premenstrual phase—women may experience heightened emotional sensitivity and worse executive functioning, which then leads to increased inattention and difficulty managing impulses. This can be particularly challenging for women with ADHD, as the disorder can make the limbic system more reactive. As a result, during times of low estrogen, women with ADHD may feel more overwhelmed, impulsive, or emotionally volatile.
Treatment
Fortunately, even if you receive an ADHD diagnosis only as an adult, there are ways to successfully manage your symptoms and live a life that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. There are many effective ADHD treatments, and although they won’t “cure” you, you can build self-acceptance of your condition and limit its negative effects on your life.Buy etizolam online
The most common and recognized treatment methods for ADHD are medication, therapy, or a combination of both:
Stimulants like Vyvanse and non-stimulants like Qelbree are helpful for most people with ADHD. Stimulants tend to be more effective, but non-stimulants can help as well if you can’t or don’t want to take stimulants.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD can help you learn new skills to manage the symptoms, like new study strategies or time management skills. It can also help you challenge negative and unhelpful thinking patterns that you may have developed about yourself due to years of living with undiagnosed ADHD.
