Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women can also be affected by ADHD symptoms, but they are more prevalent in men and boys. Symptoms can vary in different seasons, since hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can exacerbate them.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Managing ADHD by taking medication and therapy can improve the quality of relationships, work, and school performance.
Signs and 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 similar to estrogen. The female hormones can also change during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medications. ADHD symptoms can be concealed or exacerbated by anxiety depression, and other mood disorders. People with these comorbid disorders often feel more shame about their symptoms, and they aren't willing to report them to their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause many problems in women's lives. It is often difficult to sustain a career or keep up with schoolwork. It can also create financial problems, such as forgetting appointments or bills and missing payments. It can affect relationships and create feelings of low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD are also unable to navigate societal expectations of gender roles and tend to internalize symptoms, which can lead to their distress and difficulty with relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse over time. They may also become apparent when a woman is stressed or going through an important life event. When a woman is divorced or becomes pregnant, or has children, she might be more prone to experiencing symptoms at work or home.
Women can manage their symptoms using the use of therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can teach them the art of time management and organization and aid in improving their overall functioning. It may also be beneficial working with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Because of gender stereotypes, females and girls may have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to a 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 difference in symptom manifestations, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed more often than boys and men.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can manifest as a lack of focus, confusion or difficulties managing time at home and at work. This may result in missed appointments, difficulty 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 signs can cause issues in relationships at work, at home, as well as at school.
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a condition that was only an issue for males and girls. The early studies of ADHD mostly focused on the behavior of boys who were hyperactive, which helped to shape the diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. This led to the belief that ADHD was a problem only for boys. Many women and girls were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they might continue to experience difficulties navigating everyday life with untreated ADHD. Additionally, their struggles to organize their finances, maintain a clean house and manage routines in their lives can cause feelings of being inadequate. Women may also experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, which makes it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available to adults with ADHD. This includes 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 can also help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. conversational tone will be able to discuss with you which medications are the most suitable for your situation.
Your doctor may also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Specialized therapists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and also help you build confidence in yourself. They can also teach you healthy coping strategies and help your family members understand the condition. They can also provide cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or family psychoeducation which can help your loved ones to comprehend your ADHD and learn coping strategies.
Women may experience ADHD symptoms that differ from men. For instance women with inattentive-type ADHD may struggle to stay 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. They may feel ashamed or misunderstood because of their symptoms.
The fluctuation in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can affect how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you choose to follow is based on your current hormonal levels as well as your age and stage of life. You may find that your symptoms get better when you are pregnant because the surge of estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you consider taking part in a clinical study. These studies explore new ways to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions.
Medication
Women suffering from ADHD have particular problems in managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complicated interplay between gender expectations and executive function issues. They also have to deal with rejection sensitivity, which can cause feelings of shame when they are unable to keep up with social expectations. This makes it difficult for them to form and keep relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and they may attempt to fit in. This may mask their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to recognize their own anxiety and feelings, and often assume that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these factors, it's harder for women and girls to receive an accurate diagnosis than boys and men. Furthermore, their symptoms are more likely to be inactive than hyperactive, and therefore do not easily trigger concern. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
The medications help control the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD for girls and women. The stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for patients suffering from ADHD, however they must be watched as some people may experience a serious reaction to these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medicines available. These medications can be combined psychotherapy and behavioral treatments in order to improve symptoms.
These individuals should tell their doctor about any prior issues with ADHD. They can utilize this information to formulate an treatment plan. They can also request for their doctor to refers them to a mental health professional who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. They can provide counseling and psychotherapy as well as methods for managing your lifestyle such as job accommodations, school accommodations.
Support
Women with ADHD can face a variety of issues which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behaviors, and women with ADHD tend to suffer from more internalized signs such as depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women are more likely to exhibit different symptoms, with inattentive symptom presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse symptoms.
The first step is to talk to a primary care provider. They will assess your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women discover that having a diagnosis helps them face their issues and manage them more effectively.
A doctor will typically prescribe medication to help regulate brain activity and reduce symptoms. Non-stimulant drugs are also available to certain people. Doctors may also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to help people change negative thoughts and behaviors. They can also provide advice 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 better understand the challenges that ADHD presents in their lives. They can also learn to handle issues caused by impulsive or inattentive behavior, such as forgetfulness or difficulty making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are unable to seeking assistance or admitting that they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this barrier by explaining how ADHD affects them and guiding them through coping strategies to boost their performance at school and at work. They can also ask co-workers as well as teachers for minor accommodations to enable them to succeed in their jobs or classes.