Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men however, women can be affected by the disorder as well. The symptoms can change depending on the time of the year, due to hormonal fluctuations that happen during menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Managing ADHD by taking medication and therapy can improve the quality of 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 be due to with brain structure or the levels of chemicals such as estrogen. The female hormones can also change during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be masked or exacerbated by anxiety depression and other mood disorders. Women who suffer from these conditions tend to feel more embarrassed about their symptoms and aren't able to inform their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of a woman's daily life. For instance, it can make it difficult to keep an occupation or manage schoolwork. It can also create financial problems, such as forgetting appointments or bills and a lack of payment. It can result in low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women with ADHD also struggle with societal expectations of gender roles and are more likely to internalize their symptoms, which can increase their anxiety and difficulties in relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD are more severe over time. They may also become more apparent when a woman is stressed or going through a major life event. After a woman gets divorced, becomes pregnant, or has children, she may be more prone to experiencing symptoms at home or at work.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through combining therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can assist them to improve their overall performance by teaching them time management and organizational skills. They may also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Women and girls may have a difficult time to determine the correct diagnosis due to gender stereotypes and a 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 difference in symptom manifestations females and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed a lot more often than men and boys.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can show up as forgetfulness, disorganization or problems managing time at home and at work. This may result in missed appointments, trouble paying bills on time and struggling to keep up with schoolwork 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, interfere with work and school performance and create problems at home or in relationships.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered a disorder that affects only males and boys. The first studies on ADHD mostly focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive. This helped define the diagnostic criteria and scales of rating that are still in use. This led to the assumption that ADHD was only a problem for male children. Many girls and women were never diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescent girls become adults, they could be struggling to navigate daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep their home in order and maintain their daily routines may also cause feelings of inadequacy. Depression and anxiety may also co-occur with ADHD in women, which may make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of options for treatment for people suffering from 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 inform you about which medication is most appropriate for your needs.
Your doctor may also recommend therapy in addition to medications. Specialists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and also help you build confidence in yourself. They can teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family members comprehend the condition. They can offer cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. They can also provide psychoeducation for the family, which can help your loved one to understand ADHD and develop strategies for coping.
Women can experience different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. Women who are not attentive to ADHD might have difficulty 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 may feel embarrassed or misunderstood by their symptoms.
Changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can affect 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 might notice that your symptoms improve when you're pregnant because the surge of estrogen helps to balance the chemicals in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest taking part in a clinical trial. These studies explore new ways to prevent and treat diseases, as well as detect and conditions.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD have their own unique issues when it comes down to managing their symptoms. They have to deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function issues. adhd in women adult have to deal with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to 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 mechanisms to conceal their struggles and may even try to blend into. This may mask their ADHD symptoms. In addition, they struggle to recognize their own distressing emotions and often assume their behaviors are "normal."
Due to these factors females and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. In addition, their symptoms are more likely to be unresponsive than hyperactive and aren't likely to trigger alarm. This can lead them to be undiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medicines can control the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD for girls and women. These medications are often the first option for these patients, but they should be watched as some people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. Non-stimulant medications 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 that they have had with ADHD. They can then use this information to create an treatment plan. They could also ask their health care providers to refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating ADHD both in girls and women. These professionals can provide counseling and psychotherapy along with strategies for managing lifestyle such as job accommodations, school accommodations.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD tend to favor male behaviors, and women who suffer from the condition are more likely to develop more internalized symptoms like depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also tend to experience different symptoms and symptoms of inattention appearing more frequently than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms.
The first step is to speak to a primary care physician. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them accept their issues more efficiently and better manage them.
Typically doctors prescribe medication to control brain activity and reduce symptoms. Stimulant medications are most common, but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors can also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people to change their negative thinking patterns and behaviors. They can also offer advice on ways to improve communication and improve relationships.
Family support is crucial to tackling the symptoms of ADHD. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help people to understand the challenges ADHD poses in their lives. They can also learn to overcome issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like memory loss and difficulties in making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are reluctant to ask for assistance or admit that they need help. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects the person and teaching them coping techniques to help them perform better in school and at work. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for small accommodations that will help them achieve their goals in school or at work.