Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in males and females, women can suffer from the disorder too. The symptoms can vary based on the time of the year due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal.
A diagnosis and treatment are crucial first steps. Controlling ADHD through therapy and medication can improve 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 have to do with brain structure or the levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Female hormones can change during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medication. The symptoms of ADHD can also be disguised by a variety of mood disorders, like anxiety and depression. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed by their symptoms and don't disclose them to their physicians, making it harder for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in many aspects of a woman's life. For instance, it could make it difficult to maintain an occupation or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also lead to financial problems, such as not paying bills or appointments, and late payments. It can lead to low self-esteem and affect relationships. Women with ADHD also have trouble navigating gender roles within society and are more likely to internalize symptoms, which can cause their distress and difficulty with relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD can worsen as time goes by. They can also become more evident when a woman is stressed or undergoing a major life event. After a woman gets divorced, becomes pregnant, or has children, she may experience more issues with symptoms at home or at work.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms using a combination of behavioral and therapy strategies. Therapists can help them improve their overall performance by teaching them how to manage their time and organize their lives. You may also find it beneficial working with an ADHD coach, or attend 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 conceal 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 the symptom presentation females and girls tend to be misdiagnosed more frequently than males and females.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include disorganization, forgetfulness or issues with time management at home and at work. This can lead to delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time, and difficulty completing 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 a long time, ADHD has been considered a disorder that affects only boys and men. The early studies of ADHD focused primarily on hyperactive boys' behaviors which influenced the diagnostic criteria and rating systems that are still in use today. This led to the assumption that ADHD was a problem only for boys. A lot of women and girls were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
Untreated ADHD can cause teenagers and girls to have difficulty navigating their lives as adults. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain an orderly home and maintain their daily routines could cause feelings of inadequacy. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety may also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could hinder their ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults suffering from 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 anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you the medications that are the most suitable for your condition.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can assist you in learning to manage your symptoms and build self-esteem. high functioning adhd in women can also help you learn healthy strategies for coping and help your family understand your condition. They can also provide cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. They could also offer psychoeducation for the family, which can help your loved ones comprehend ADHD and develop strategies for coping.
Women can experience different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. For instance women with inattentive type ADHD may have trouble staying organised at home and at work 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. In the end, they might feel misunderstood, or even ashamed of their condition.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes can affect how ADHD symptoms manifest. Your treatment plan will be based on your current hormone levels and your age and stage in life. It is possible that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as the surge of estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor may also recommend that you participate in a study conducted by a clinical researcher. These studies are designed to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases, as well as detect and conditions.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD face unique problems in managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function problems. They also have to contend with sensitivity to rejection, which can cause feelings of shame when they don't meet social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and try to blend in, which can disguise their ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own feelings of distress and often believe that their behaviors are "normal."
Because of these reasons females and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. Additionally, their symptoms tend to be less severe and more inattentive rather than hyperactive. This makes them less likely to trigger concern. This could cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medicines can reduce the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. Stimulant medications are typically the first choice for patients suffering from ADHD, however they must be carefully monitored because some people can have a serious reaction to these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and they are often combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to inform their health care provider about any past difficulties related to ADHD in order to use this information to create the treatment plan. They may also request that their health care provider recommends them to a mental healthcare specialist who is skilled in treating ADHD both 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 many issues, including misdiagnosis or unrecognized signs. Rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behaviors, and women who suffer from the condition are more likely to experience more internalized symptoms such as depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women tend to have different symptoms, with an inattention appearance being more frequent than hyperactive or impulse symptoms.
The first step is to talk to your primary care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis allows them to accept their challenges more effectively and manage them better.
Typically, a doctor will prescribe medication to control brain activity and manage symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors may also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help people change negative thought patterns and behaviors. They can also offer advice on ways to improve communication and improve relationships.
Support from family members is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people to comprehend the challenges ADHD presents in their lives. They can also learn how to deal with problems caused by impulsive or inattentive behavior, such as forgetfulness or difficulty making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are hesitant to ask for assistance or admit that they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects the person and guiding them through coping strategies to boost their performance at school and at work. They can also ask co-workers and teachers for minor adjustments to help them succeed in their jobs or classes.