Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Although ADHD symptoms are more common for men and boys however, women can be affected by the disorder as well. The symptoms can vary based on the season, due to hormonal fluctuations that happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Controlling ADHD with medication and therapy can improve the quality of 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 the brain's structure or levels similar to estrogen. Female hormones also change during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medication. The symptoms of ADHD are also covered by various mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Women with these comorbid disorders often feel embarrassed about their symptoms and do not disclose them to their doctor, making it difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create a host of problems in a woman's daily life. It is often difficult to sustain an occupation or manage schoolwork. It can also lead to financial issues, such as not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can cause low self-esteem and negatively impact relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD are also unable to navigate societal expectations of gender roles and tend to internalize symptoms, which can lead to their distress and difficulty with relationships.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. They may also become evident when a woman is stressed or going through some major life event. When a woman is divorced, becomes pregnant, or has children, she could experience more issues with symptoms at work or home.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms with the use of therapy and behavioral strategies. Therapists can help them improve their overall functioning by teaching them how to manage their time and organize their lives. They could also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Because of gender stereotypes, females and girls may have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to 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. Because of this distinction in symptom manifestations, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed more often than males and females.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include forgetfulness, disorganization or issues with time management both at home and at work. This can lead to delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time and difficulty completing work or school 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 the course of a relationship.
For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a condition that only affected boys and men. Early studies of ADHD focused primarily on hyperactive boys' behaviors which influenced the diagnostic criteria and rating systems used today. This led to the belief that ADHD was a problem only for boys. Many women and girls were never diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not in line with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescent girls grow into adults, they might continue to experience difficulties navigating everyday life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain their home in order, and manage their daily routines may also cause feelings of inadequacy. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety can also co-occur with ADHD in women, which may make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. This includes medications. 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 decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will inform you about which medication is best for your needs.
In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend therapy. Specialized therapists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and also help you build self-esteem. They can teach you healthy coping techniques and help your family members understand the condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones. Or they can offer psychoeducation for the family, which can help your loved ones comprehend ADHD and develop coping strategies.
Women may experience different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. Women with inattention ADHD might find it difficult 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. They may feel uncomfortable or misunderstood due to their symptoms.
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 follow is based on your current hormonal levels, your age and stage of life. You might find that your symptoms get better during pregnancy, when the surge of estrogen can balance out the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you participate in a clinical study. These studies investigate new methods to prevent and treat diseases, as well as detect and conditions.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD have particular challenges when it comes to managing their symptoms. They have to deal with an intricate interaction between gender expectations and executive function problems. They also have to deal with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of shame when they can't keep up with social expectations. This can cause difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and try to blend into the crowd, which may mask their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to identify their own anxiety and feelings, and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Due to these factors due to these factors, women and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. Furthermore, their symptoms tend to be more inattentive than hyperactive and thus don't easily arouse concern. This can lead them to be underdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications assist in reducing the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. The stimulant drugs are typically the first choice for patients with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored as some people may have a serious response to these medications. Other drugs that do not stimulate are also available, and these medications are often combined with psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to inform their doctor about any past difficulties related to ADHD, because they can utilize this information when preparing the treatment plan. They can also request that their health care provider refer them to a mental health professional who is experienced in treating ADHD in girls and women. These professionals can provide counseling and psychotherapy as well as strategies for managing lifestyle, job accommodations, and school accommodations.
Support
Women with ADHD have a variety of issues, including misdiagnosis or unrecognized signs. The scales used to rate ADHD tend to be biased towards male-dominated behaviors. high functioning adhd in women with ADHD also tend to develop internalized symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Women also tend to experience various symptom manifestations with inattention symptoms appearing more frequently than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
The first step is to speak to a primary health care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that a diagnosis helps them face their difficulties more efficiently and effectively manage them.
A doctor will typically prescribe medication to help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Non-stimulant medications are also available to certain people. Doctors may also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behaviors. They can also offer advice on how to improve communication and relationships.
Family support is essential for managing the symptoms of ADHD. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help people understand the difficulties ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues caused by impulsive or inattentive behaviors, like confusion or inability to make decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD have a hard time asking for assistance or admitting that they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this hurdle by explaining how ADHD affects their lives and teaching them strategies for coping to boost their performance at the classroom and at work. They can also ask co-workers and teachers for minor adjustments to help them achieve their goals in their job or classes.