Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women can also suffer from ADHD symptoms, although they are more common in men and boys. The symptoms can be different depending on the time of year, and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can exacerbate them.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is a crucial first step. The treatment of ADHD through therapy and medication improves relationships, work and school performance.
Symptoms
Women with ADHD often have inattentive symptoms rather than the hyperactive/impulsive type more common in boys and men. This could be due to brain structure or levels like estrogen. Female hormones can change during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be masked or exacerbated by anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Women who suffer from these conditions are often embarrassed by their symptoms and don't inform their doctors and make it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause many problems in the daily routine of a woman. For instance, it can make it difficult to keep an occupation or manage schoolwork. It can also create financial problems, like not paying bills or appointments, and missing payments. It can lead to low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time navigating gender roles of society. They also tend to dwell on their symptoms which can cause more stress and relationship issues.
The signs of ADHD are more severe as time passes. They can also become more apparent when a woman is stressed or experiencing an important life event. For example women may experience more issues with symptoms at workplace or at home after having a divorce, becoming pregnant or having children.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through combining therapy and behavioral strategies. Therapists can help them improve their overall performance by teaching them the art of time management and organizational skills. You may also find it beneficial working with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, women and girls may be unable to get an accurate diagnosis due to the tendency to hide ADHD symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD in girls and women tend to be more inattentive, whereas boys and men often have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Due to this distinction in the way symptoms are presented females and girls are more likely to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as compared to males and females.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can manifest as disorganization, forgetfulness or difficulties managing time at work and home. This could result in delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time and difficulty keeping up with school or work tasks. Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD in women can present as restless behavior, frequent need to move around, difficulty staying quiet or talking out loud or saying nonsensical words or phrases. These symptoms can disrupt relationships, affect school and work performance and cause issues at home or in a relationship.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered an illness that affects only boys and men. The early studies of ADHD mainly focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive, which helped in the development of the diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. This led to the assumption that ADHD was only a problem for male children as well as girls and women were not diagnosed due to the fact that their behaviors did not fit the stereotypes associated with the disorder.
Untreated ADHD can cause adolescents and girls to struggle with their daily lives as adults. In addition their struggles to manage their finances, maintain a clean house and manage daily routines can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Women can also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety and depression that can make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD that include medication. Stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall(r)) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse(r)) help improve focus and motivation, reduce impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and increase working memory and verbal memory. They also help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will talk to you about which medication is most appropriate for your needs.
In signs of add in adult women to medications Your doctor might also suggest therapy. Specialized therapists for ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms, and help you build confidence in yourself. They can also teach you healthy strategies to cope and help your family members understand the severity of your condition. They can also provide cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or psychoeducation for the family that helps your loved ones to understand your ADHD and develop coping strategies.
Women may have ADHD symptoms that are different from men. For instance, a woman with inattentive-type ADHD may have trouble staying organized at work and home or be forgetful of appointments and bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. This means that they may feel misunderstood or even embarrassed by their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can affect how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment you receive will depend on your current hormonal levels and your age as well as the stage of life. You might notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, when the surge of estrogen can help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor may also suggest that you participate in a study conducted by a clinical researcher. These studies investigate new methods to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions.
Medication
Women suffering from ADHD have particular problems in managing their symptoms. They must deal with an intricate interaction between gender expectations and executive functioning problems. They must also deal with rejection sensitivity which can cause them to feel embarrassed when they don't live up to social expectations. This is a contributing factor to their difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop strategies for coping to hide their struggles and try to blend in, which can mask their ADHD symptoms. In addition, they struggle to identify their own anxiety and feelings, and often assume that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these reasons, girls and women are less likely than boys and men to receive a correct diagnosis. Additionally their symptoms tend to be less severe and inattentive rather than hyperactive. This makes them less likely to trigger concern. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Medicines can reduce the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. Stimulant medications are typically the first choice for these patients, but they must be monitored because some people can suffer a serious reaction these medications. There are also non-stimulant medicines available. These medications can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to tell their doctor about any previous issues related to ADHD as they will be able to utilize this information when preparing the treatment plan. They may also request that their healthcare provider recommends them to a mental health specialist who is skilled in treating ADHD among women and girls. They can provide psychotherapy and counseling along with methods for managing your lifestyle including job accommodations, as well as school accommodations.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD have a myriad of difficulties that can lead to misdiagnosis and a lack of recognition of symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD tend to favor male behavior, and women who suffer from the condition are more likely to develop more internalized symptoms like depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women tend to have different symptoms, with inattention symptom presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse symptoms.
The first step is to speak to a primary health care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms, and recommend you to a specialist in mental health. Many women discover that having a diagnosis can help them face their issues and deal with them more effectively.
Typically doctors prescribe medications to control brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant medications are most common but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors can prescribe therapy, such as cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which can help people change negative thoughts and behavior. They can also offer suggestions on how to improve communication and relationships.
The support of family members is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Counseling for marriage and family therapy can help people to comprehend the challenges ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues caused by impulsive or inattentive behaviors, such as confusion or inability to make decisions.
Many people with ADHD are unable to asking for assistance or admitting that they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this barrier by explaining how ADHD affects their lives and teaching them strategies for coping to improve their performance in the classroom and at work. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for minor adjustments that will allow them to achieve their goals in school or at work.