Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women can also be affected by ADHD symptoms, although they are more prevalent for boys and men. The symptoms may change based on the season, due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. Managing ADHD by taking medication and therapy can improve 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 with brain structure or the levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Female hormones can change during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be disguised or exacerbated by anxiety depression and other mood disorders. Women with these comorbid conditions are often embarrassed by their symptoms and aren't able to report them to their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause a variety of issues in the daily routine of a woman. For example, it can make it difficult to maintain a job or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also cause financial issues, like forgetting appointments or bills and late payments. It can result in low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women with ADHD have difficulty navigating the gender roles of society. They are also more likely to internalize their issues, which can lead to an increase in stress and relationship problems.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe as time passes. They may also become obvious when a person is stressed or experiencing an important life event. For instance women might experience more trouble with symptoms at home or at work following being divorced, being pregnant or having children.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through a combination of behavioral and therapy strategies. A therapist can assist them to improve their overall performance by teaching them how to manage their time and organize their lives. They could also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or attending an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, females 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 variation in symptom manifestations, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed a lot more often than males and females.
The signs of inattention ADHD can manifest as disorganization, forgetfulness or difficulties managing time at home and at work. 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 issues can affect relationships, hinder work and school performance and cause problems at home or in the course of a relationship.
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a disorder that was only affecting boys and men. The initial studies of ADHD mainly focused on the behavior of boys who were hyperactive. This helped define the diagnostic criteria and scales of rating that are still in use. This led to the belief that ADHD was only a problem for boys. A lot of women and girls were never diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not in line with the stereotypes.
Untreated ADHD can cause adolescents and girls to have difficulty navigating their daily lives as adults. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep their home in order and maintain their daily routines could lead to feelings of inadequateness. Depression and anxiety can also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could further complicate the ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for 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 also help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you which medications are the most suitable for your condition.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medications. Specialized therapists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and can help you build confidence in yourself. They can also teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family understand your condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer family psychoeducation which helps your loved ones comprehend ADHD and develop strategies for coping.
Women may experience different ADHD symptoms than men. Web Site with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty to stay on top of things at home and at work or forget 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 behavior.
The fluctuation in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal changes can impact how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you choose to take will be based on your current hormone levels and your age and stage of life. You may find that your symptoms are more severe when you're pregnant as the increase in estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor may recommend taking part in a clinical trial. These studies explore new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions.
Medication
Women with ADHD have unique difficulties in managing their symptoms. They must contend with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function issues. They also have to deal with the sensitivity of rejection which can cause them to feel ashamed when they don't meet social expectations. This can cause difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to hide their struggles, and may even try to blend in. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. In addition, they struggle to recognize their own anxiety and feelings, and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Due to these reasons that make it more difficult for women and girls to receive an accurate diagnosis than men and boys. Furthermore, their symptoms tend to be more inactive than hyperactive, and therefore aren't likely to trigger alarm. This could cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The use of medications can help to manage the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for these patients. However, they need to be monitored carefully as certain people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. Non-stimulant drugs are also available. These drugs can be combined psychotherapy and behavioral treatments in order to improve symptoms.
They should inform their healthcare provider about any past issues with ADHD. They can use this information to formulate a treatment plan. They can also ask for their doctor to recommends them to a mental health professional who is experienced in treating ADHD both in girls and women. They can offer counseling and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle management strategies including school and job accomodations and other treatments to aid in managing their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD have many challenges, such as the misdiagnosis of symptoms or not being recognized. Rating scales for ADHD are skewed toward male behaviors, and females with ADHD tend to experience more internalized symptoms such as depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women tend to have different symptoms, with inattentive symptom presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse-related 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 find that a diagnosis helps them face their challenges more efficiently and better manage them.
Typically doctors prescribe medication to control brain activity and reduce symptoms. Most stimulant medications are prescribed, but non-stimulants are an option for certain people. Doctors may prescribe therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behavior. They can also provide advice on ways to improve communication and relationships.
To manage the symptoms of ADHD requires the support of loved ones. Counseling for marriage and family therapy can help people better understand the challenges that ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn to deal with problems that may result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like memory loss and difficulties in making decisions.
Many people with ADHD are reluctant to ask for assistance or admit that they require help. A doctor can help overcome this hurdle by explaining how ADHD affects their lives and teaching them strategies for coping to improve their performance in school and at work. They can also ask their co-workers or teachers for small accommodations that will help them succeed in class or at work.