Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women can also suffer from ADHD symptoms, but they are more common in boys and men. The symptoms can be different at different times, as hormonal changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause can exacerbate them.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. Managing ADHD with medication and therapy 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 could affect the effectiveness of ADHD medications. ADHD symptoms can be disguised or exacerbated by anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed of their symptoms and do not inform their doctor, making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in many areas of a woman's life. It is often difficult to sustain the pace of work or keep up with schoolwork. It can also cause financial problems, such as forgetting appointments or bills and missing payments. It can impact relationships and create feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD have difficulty navigating the gender roles of society. They also tend to internalize their issues and this can cause an increase in stress and relationship problems.
The signs of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. They may also become more prominent when an individual is stressed or going through an important life event. For instance, a woman might have more trouble with symptoms at home or at work after having a divorce, becoming being pregnant or having children.
Women can manage their symptoms with a combination of behavioral strategies and therapy. Therapists can help them improve their overall performance by teaching them time management and organizational skills. You may also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to 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. Because of this distinction in symptom presentations females and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed more frequently than males and females.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can manifest as a lack of focus, confusion or problems with time management at home and work. This could result in delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time, and having trouble keeping up with school or work obligations. 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 disruption to relationships, interfere with work and school performance and cause issues at home or in relationships.
For many years, ADHD has been considered an illness that affects only males and boys. The early studies on ADHD focused on the behavior of hyperactive boys, which helped define diagnostic criteria and rating scales still in use today. 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. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain an orderly home and maintain their daily routines can cause feelings of inadequacy. Depression and anxiety may also co-occur with ADHD in women, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD which 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 reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will consult with you about which medications are the best for you.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Specialists in ADHD can teach you how to manage your symptoms, and can help you build confidence in yourself. They can also help you learn healthy coping strategies and assist your family members in understanding the severity of your 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 helps your loved ones better understand your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may have ADHD symptoms that are different from men. Women with inattention ADHD may find it difficult to keep track of their time at home and at work or forget appointments or bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. They might be ashamed or misunderstood because of their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes can impact how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you choose to follow is based on your current hormone levels and your age as well as the stage of life. You may find that your symptoms are more severe when you are pregnant, as the surge of estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor may also recommend that you take part in a research study. These studies explore new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions.
Medication
Women with ADHD face unique challenges to manage their symptoms. They have to manage a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive functions problems. They must also deal with the sensitivity of rejection which can cause them to feel ashamed when they fail to meet social expectations. This makes it difficult for them to form and keep relationships. attention deficit disorder in women may develop strategies for coping to hide their struggles and attempt to blend in, which can disguise their ADHD symptoms. They also struggle to recognize their own feelings of distress and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these factors that make it more difficult for women and girls to get an accurate diagnosis than males and females. Furthermore the symptoms of women are more likely to be inactive than hyperactive, and therefore don't easily arouse concern. This can cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications assist in reducing the chemical imbalances which trigger the symptoms of ADHD among women and girls. The stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for those suffering from the disorder, but they must be carefully monitored as some individuals may experience a serious reaction to these drugs. Other drugs that do not stimulate are also available, and they can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to reduce symptoms.
They should inform their doctor about any previous difficulties related to ADHD. They can then use this information to create an treatment plan. They can also ask their health care providers to refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in treating ADHD both in girls and women. These specialists may offer psychotherapy and counseling methods for managing lifestyles including school and job accomodations and other treatments that help them better manage their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD have many issues, including misdiagnosis or unrecognized signs. The scales of rating for ADHD tend to be skewed towards male-dominated behaviors. Women with ADHD are also more likely to develop internalized symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Women also experience different symptom presentations, with inattentive symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
The first step is talking to a primary care physician. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women discover that having a diagnosis helps them recognize their struggles and manage them more effectively.
Typically, a doctor will prescribe medications to control brain activity and manage symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors can also recommend therapies, like cognitive behavior therapy, which can help people overcome negative thinking patterns and behavior. They can also provide 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 better recognize the challenges ADHD presents in their lives. They can also learn to deal with problems caused by impulsive or inattentive behaviors, such as confusion or inability to make decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance or admit that they need help. A doctor can help them overcome this hurdle by helping them understand how ADHD affects their lives and also by giving them strategies to help them perform better at school and work. They can also ask their co-workers or teachers for small adjustments that will help them succeed in class or at work.