ADHD in Women

How to ADHD
31 Aug 202109:09
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD, highlighting the differences in presentation and outcomes compared to men. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that ADHD affects women differently due to biological and social factors, leading to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. The speaker shares personal experiences to illustrate the need for increased awareness, proper diagnosis, and treatment, including considering hormonal fluctuations and their impact on symptoms. The call to action is for viewers to educate themselves and seek appropriate support for their ADHD.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 ADHD affects both men and women, but the presentation and outcomes can be different due to biological and social factors.
  • 👩 Women with ADHD often present more inattentiveness and internalizing problems like anxiety and self-esteem issues, while men tend to show externalizing problems.
  • 🧐 The societal expectations and pressures can lead women to mask their ADHD symptoms, making it less recognizable.
  • 📉 ADHD in women is typically more severe than it appears, and symptoms are manifestations of internal struggles.
  • 🩺 Many women with ADHD are misdiagnosed with other conditions like depression or bipolar disorder due to the lack of fitting diagnostic criteria.
  • 💊 Stimulant medication is effective for both genders, but women are less likely to be treated with it even with a correct diagnosis.
  • 🏥 Specialists in ADHD or doctors familiar with the disorder are recommended for diagnosis and treatment.
  • 🤰 Hormonal changes during menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and menopause can affect ADHD symptoms in women.
  • 🔍 More research is needed on ADHD in all genders, especially in the transgender community due to higher neurodiversity rates.
  • 💔 Long-term issues for women with untreated ADHD include self-medicating, eating disorders, chronic pain, self-harm, and suicide attempts.
  • 🌟 Raising awareness and understanding of ADHD in women is crucial to ensure that individuals receive the support they need.
Q & A

  • What is the main message of the video regarding ADHD in women?

    -The main message is that ADHD affects women differently than men due to a combination of biological and social factors, often leading to misdiagnosis or lack of recognition. Women with ADHD tend to have more internalizing symptoms and may not display the typical hyperactive behaviors commonly associated with ADHD.

  • How does societal expectation play a role in the presentation of ADHD in women?

    -Societal expectations that women should be good at organizing, planning, and other executive functions can lead to women with ADHD working harder to 'fit in' and 'be good', which may mask their ADHD symptoms and make them less recognizable.

  • What are some common misdiagnoses for women with ADHD?

    -Women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder because their ADHD symptoms may present more internally and be overshadowed by comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression.

  • How do hormonal changes affect ADHD symptoms in women?

    -Hormonal fluctuations, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and menopause, can cause ADHD symptoms in women to change or worsen, requiring adjustments in treatment and support.

  • Why is it important for women with ADHD to seek specialized medical help?

    -Specialized medical help is important because most ADHD research has been done on males, and the diagnostic criteria may not fit well with how ADHD presents in women. Seeking help from doctors who specialize in ADHD can lead to more accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment.

  • What are some of the long-term issues women with ADHD may face if untreated?

    -Untreated ADHD in women can lead to self-medicating behaviors, addiction, eating disorders, STIs, unplanned pregnancies, chronic pain, self-harm, and even suicide attempts.

  • How does the speaker's personal experience with ADHD illustrate the challenges of recognition and treatment?

    -The speaker's personal experience shows that despite having ADHD, she was not recognized as having the condition until her symptoms became more externalized. Even after diagnosis, she did not receive adequate treatment or take her ADHD seriously, leading to a series of life struggles.

  • What advice does the speaker give to those who suspect they might have ADHD?

    -The speaker advises individuals to educate themselves about how ADHD affects women differently, seek support, and visit doctors who specialize in ADHD to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

  • Why is it suggested to consider medication dosage adjustments during different times of the month for those with ADHD?

    -It is suggested because hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle can affect ADHD symptoms in women. Adjusting medication dosage may help manage these symptom fluctuations more effectively.

  • What call to action does the speaker make regarding ADHD research?

    -The speaker calls for more research on ADHD across all genders, especially in women and gender diverse individuals, to better understand and support the neurodiverse community as a whole.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Understanding ADHD in Women

The first paragraph discusses the unique experiences of women with ADHD, highlighting the differences in presentation compared to men. It emphasizes that while ADHD affects both genders similarly at a neurological level, societal expectations and biological factors contribute to distinct symptomatology in women. Women with ADHD often exhibit more inattentiveness and internalizing problems like anxiety and low self-esteem, while men tend to show externalizing issues. The paragraph also addresses the misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of ADHD in women due to a lack of research and understanding, leading to inadequate treatment and support.

05:01
🌟 Seeking Support and Awareness for Women with ADHD

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of recognizing and addressing the specific challenges faced by women with ADHD. It discusses the common underreporting of symptoms by women and the tendency to mask their struggles due to social pressures. The speaker shares her personal journey with ADHD, including her initial misdiagnosis and the long-term impacts of untreated ADHD, such as self-esteem issues and social anxiety. The paragraph calls for more research on ADHD across all genders and emphasizes the need for proper support and treatment to prevent self-blame and promote understanding of neurodiversity.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition characterized by difficulty in paying attention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity. In the context of the video, ADHD affects both men and women, but the presentation and outcomes can differ due to biological and social factors, leading to underrecognition and misdiagnosis in women.
💡Neurodivergent
Neurodivergent refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is commonly expected. In the video, the term is used to describe those with ADHD and potentially other neurodiverse conditions, emphasizing that neurodiversity is a natural variation in the human brain and not a disorder to be 'fixed'.
💡Internalizing Problems
Internalizing problems are mental health issues that are expressed through emotions directed inward, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. In the video, it is mentioned that females with ADHD are more likely to develop these types of problems compared to males, who are more prone to externalizing problems like aggression and rule-breaking.
💡Externalizing Problems
Externalizing problems refer to behaviors that cause difficulties for others or violate social norms, such as aggression, rule-breaking, and impulsivity. In the context of the video, males with ADHD are more likely to develop these types of problems, which are often more visible and recognized than the internalizing problems more common in females with ADHD.
💡Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional incorrectly identifies a medical condition or its causes. In the video, it is noted that women with ADHD are often misdiagnosed with conditions like depression or bipolar disorder because their ADHD symptoms may not align with the traditional presentation expected in males.
💡Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes refer to fluctuations in hormone levels that can affect various bodily functions and behaviors. In the context of the video, hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can influence ADHD symptoms in women, potentially altering their presentation and treatment needs.
💡Stimulant Medication
Stimulant medication is a class of drugs commonly used to treat ADHD by increasing attention and reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity. The video emphasizes that stimulant medication is the first-line treatment for ADHD and is effective for both males and females, despite women being less likely to be treated with it due to misdiagnosis and societal pressures.
💡Social Pressures
Social pressures are the influences from society or social groups that affect an individual's behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. In the video, it is discussed that social pressures can lead women with ADHD to work harder to 'fit in' and 'be good,' which may result in their ADHD symptoms being masked or internalized.
💡Self-Medication
Self-medication refers to the practice of individuals taking substances, such as alcohol or drugs, without a doctor's supervision to manage symptoms or emotional distress. In the video, self-medication is highlighted as a potential long-term issue for women with ADHD who go without proper support and treatment for their condition.
💡Neurodiverstiy Rates
Neurodiverstiy rates refer to the prevalence of neurodevelopmental differences, such as ADHD and autism, within a population. The video suggests that there may be higher rates of neurodiversity in the transgender community, indicating a need for more research to better understand and support these individuals.
💡Brain Advocates
Brain advocates are individuals who support and promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of neurodiversity and mental health conditions like ADHD. In the video, the speaker expresses gratitude to their brain advocates and Patreon supporters for enabling them to create content that raises awareness and helps others get the support they need.
Highlights

Women with ADHD experience the same mental health condition as men but are affected differently due to biological and social factors.

There is no 'girl presentation' of ADHD, but cisgendered women tend to present differently than cismen.

ADHD in women often goes unrecognized or untreated effectively due to differences in presentation.

ADHD affects the same brain regions and neurotransmitter systems in both genders, but symptoms can manifest differently.

Women with ADHD are more likely to develop anxiety, self-esteem issues, and other internalizing problems.

Men with ADHD tend to develop more externalizing problems like rule breaking and aggression.

Women with ADHD may experience changes in symptoms during their menstrual cycle and other hormonal changes in life stages.

Most ADHD research has been conducted on males, leading to a lack of understanding of how it presents in women.

The DSM criteria for ADHD does not fit the way females present as well as it does for males, leading to misdiagnoses.

Women with ADHD are less likely to be referred for diagnosis, receive a diagnosis, or be treated with stimulant medication.

Hormones can significantly impact the symptoms of ADHD in women, especially during menstrual cycles and life transitions.

ADHD in women is typically more severe than it appears, with symptoms being external manifestations of internal struggles.

Women with ADHD often underreport their symptoms and may minimize their struggles due to social and cultural pressures.

Long-term issues for women with ADHD include self-medicating, eating disorders, chronic pain, self-harm, and suicide attempts.

Educating ourselves and others on ADHD's effects on women is crucial for getting the necessary support.

More research is needed on ADHD in all genders, especially in the transgender community.

No one should have to go through life blaming themselves for how their brain works, and everyone deserves support.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Undiagnosed ADHD in Women (The Invisible Struggle)

ADHD in Women and Girls

ADHD in Girls and Women | Martha Barnard-Rae | TEDxKinjarling

Tell Me You Have ADHD Without Telling Me You Have ADHD - The Signs Everyone Missed Growing Up

ADHD in Girls: How to Recognize the Symptoms

Assessment of ADHD in Adults: Methods and Issues

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
ADHD AwarenessGender DifferencesMisdiagnosisWomen's Mental HealthInternalizing SymptomsSocial PressuresHormonal ImpactTreatment BarriersPersonal StoriesNeurodivergent Advocacy