Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women can also be affected by ADHD symptoms, though they are more prevalent for boys and men. The symptoms can change depending on the time of year, due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Controlling ADHD through therapy and medication improves relationships, school and work 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 the brain's structure or levels similar to estrogen. The female hormones can also change during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed by their symptoms and don't inform their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in a variety of areas of a woman's daily life. For example, it can make it difficult to maintain a job or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also cause financial issues, such as failing to pay bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can lead to low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women with ADHD have difficulty navigating the gender roles that society expects of them. They also tend to internalize their issues which can cause increased distress and relationship difficulties.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse over time. They may also become obvious when a person is stressed or experiencing an important life event. For instance, a woman might have more issues with symptoms at home or at work after having a divorce, becoming having children or becoming pregnant.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through a combination of behavioral strategies and therapy. A therapist can help them learn how to manage time and organize their schedules and help improve their overall functioning. You may also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Girls and women may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis due to gender stereotypes and 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 the symptom presentation females and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed more frequently than males and females.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include disorganization, forgetfulness or problems in managing time both at home and at work. This can lead to 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 cause problems in relationships, at work and at home, as well as at school.
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a disorder that was only affecting males and girls. The early studies on ADHD mostly focused on the behaviors of hyperactive boys, which helped to shape the diagnostic criteria and scales of rating still in use today. This led to the belief that ADHD was only a problem for boys. Many girls and women were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
Untreated ADHD can cause girls and adolescents to struggle with their daily routines as adults. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain a clean home and maintain their daily routines can result in feelings of being inadequate. Women can also suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression that can make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a myriad of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD which includes medications. 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 anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you which medications are the most suitable for your situation.
In addition to medications Your doctor may also recommend therapy. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can assist you in learning to manage your symptoms and build confidence in yourself. They can teach you healthy ways to cope and assist your family to be aware of your condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy which helps you recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones or family psychoeducation, which helps your loved ones understand your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women can experience different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. For adult add women , a woman with inattentive-type ADHD may struggle to stay organised at home and at work or be unable to remember appointments and bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. They might be uncomfortable or misunderstood due to their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual period, menopausal and pregnancy can impact your ADHD symptoms. The treatment you receive will depend on your current hormonal levels, your age and stage of life. You might notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, when estrogen levels increase to neutralize the chemical imbalance in your brain. Your doctor may also suggest that you take part in a clinical study. These studies are designed to discover new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions.
Medication
Women suffering from ADHD face particular issues when it comes down to managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function issues. They also have to deal with rejection sensitivity, which can cause feelings of shame when they can't keep up with social expectations. This is a contributing factor to their difficulty in maintaining and establishing relationships. They may develop coping mechanisms to hide their struggles, and may even try to blend into. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own feelings of distress and are often tempted to believe that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these reasons due to these factors, women and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive a precise diagnosis. In addition their symptoms tend to be less severe and inattentive rather than hyperactive. This makes them less likely to trigger concern. This could cause them to be underdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications assist in reducing the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD for girls and women. Drugs that stimulate are usually the first choice for these patients. However, they need to be closely monitored as some people may have a serious response to these medications. Other drugs that do not stimulate are also available, and they can be combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
These individuals should tell their doctor about any past issues related to ADHD. They can then use this information to create a treatment plan. They can also request that their health care provider refers them to a mental health specialist who is skilled in treating ADHD in girls and women. They can offer psychotherapy and counseling, lifestyle management techniques, job and school accommodations and other treatments to aid in managing their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD have a myriad of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. The rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male-dominated behaviors. Women with ADHD are also more likely to experience internalized symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Women also have various symptom manifestations and symptoms of inattention being more frequent than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms.
The first step is to speak to a primary health care provider. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that a diagnosis allows them to accept their difficulties more effectively and manage them better.
Typically, a doctor will prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Non-stimulant medications are also available for certain people. Doctors can also suggest therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists people change negative thought patterns and behavior. They can also offer tips on how to improve relationships and communication.
The support of family members is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Counseling for marriage and family therapy can help people to understand the challenges that ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to deal with problems caused by inattention or impulsive behaviors, like confusion or inability to make decisions.
Many people with ADHD are reluctant to seek assistance or admit that they need help. A doctor can assist them in overcoming this obstacle by helping them explain how ADHD affects their lives and by providing them with strategies to improve their performance at school and work. They can also ask their co-workers or teachers for small accommodations to help them achieve their goals in school or at work.