Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in males and females, women can suffer from the disorder as well. The symptoms can change in different seasons, since hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause can cause them to worsen.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is a crucial first step. The treatment of ADHD through therapy and medication can improve work relationships, social interactions, 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 levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Female hormones also change during menstrual periods or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be masked or worsened by anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Women who suffer from these conditions often feel more shame about their symptoms and don't inform their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in many aspects of a woman's life. It is often difficult to sustain an occupation or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also create financial problems, such as not paying bills or appointments, and a lack of payment. It can cause low self-esteem and affect relationships. Women with ADHD struggle to navigate societal expectations for gender roles. They are also more likely to internalize their issues and this can cause an increase in stress and relationship problems.
The symptoms of ADHD are likely to worsen over time. They can also become more prominent when an individual is stressed or is going through some major life change. If a woman divorces or becomes pregnant or has children, she may experience more issues with symptoms at work or home.
Women can learn how to manage their symptoms by combining therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can help them improve their overall functioning by teaching them the art of time management and organizational skills. They could benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Girls and women may struggle to determine the correct diagnosis because of gender stereotypes and 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 symptom manifestations females and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed more often than boys and men.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can show up as forgetfulness, disorganization or difficulties with time management at home and work. This could lead to missing appointments, having trouble paying bills on time and struggling to keep up with assignments at school or at work. 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, hinder work and school performance and cause problems at home or in a relationship.
For many years, ADHD has been considered a disorder that affects only males and boys. The initial studies on ADHD focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive. This helped define diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. add test for women led to the assumption that ADHD only affected males as well as women and girls weren't diagnosed because their behavior didn't match the typical stereotypes of the disorder.
Untreated ADHD can cause teenagers and girls to have difficulty navigating their lives as adults. In addition the struggles they face to organize their finances, maintain their home clean and maintain daily routines can result in feelings of inadequate. Depression and anxiety may also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD, including 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 depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will inform you about the medications that are most appropriate for your needs.
In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend therapy. Specialists in ADHD can help you learn to manage your symptoms and can help you build self-esteem. They can also help you learn healthy strategies to cope and assist your family members in understanding the condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones or psychoeducation for the family which can help your loved ones better comprehend your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may experience different ADHD symptoms than men. Women with inattention ADHD may find it difficult to stay organized both 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 feel embarrassed or misunderstood by their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout menstrual cycle, menopausal and pregnancy can affect your ADHD symptoms. The treatment plan you choose to take will be based on your current hormone levels and your age and stage in life. You might notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as the surge of estrogen can help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor may also recommend that you participate in a study conducted by a clinical researcher. These studies are designed to discover new methods to identify, prevent or treat diseases.
Medication
Women with ADHD have their own unique challenges when it comes to managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complex interplay between gender expectations and executive function problems. They must also deal with sensitivity to rejection, which can cause feelings of shame when they don't keep up with social expectations. This can make it difficult for them to build and maintain relationships. They may develop coping strategies to cover up their issues and try to fit in, which can disguise their ADHD symptoms. They also struggle to recognize their own feelings of distress and often believe that their behaviors are "normal."
Because of these reasons females and girls are less likely than men and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. In addition the symptoms of women tend to be less severe and active rather than attentive. This means they are less likely to cause concern. This could cause them to be undiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medications help control the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. The stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for these patients, but they must be watched as some people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and these medications can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to tell their health care provider about any issues they have had prior to being diagnosed to ADHD, because they can use this information to create an treatment plan. They could also ask their health care providers to refer them to an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating ADHD for girls and women. They can offer psychotherapy and counseling methods for managing lifestyles, job and school accommodations and other treatments that help them better manage their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD have many difficulties, including incorrect diagnosis or a lack of recognition of signs. The rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male-dominated behaviors. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to develop internalized symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Women tend to have different symptoms, with an inattention presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms.
First, you should speak with your primary healthcare provider. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them face their issues more efficiently and effectively manage them.
A doctor may prescribe medications to help regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors can also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors. They can also offer advice on ways to improve communication and relationships.
To manage the symptoms of ADHD requires support from loved ones. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help people recognize the challenges ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues caused by impulsive or inattentive behavior, such as inability to make decisions or forgetfulness.
Many people with ADHD have a hard time getting assistance or admitting they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects them and teaching them coping techniques to boost their performance at school and at work. They can also ask their coworkers and teachers for small accommodations to help them succeed in their jobs or classes.