Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Although ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in males and females however, women can be affected by the disorder too. The symptoms can change depending on the time of year, and hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can make them worse.
A diagnosis and treatment are essential first steps. The treatment of ADHD by taking therapy and medication improves 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 have to do with brain structure or levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Also, female hormones change throughout the menstrual cycle as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal, which can affect the way ADHD medication works. Symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from these conditions often feel more shame about their symptoms and don't inform their doctors, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in a variety of areas of a woman's daily life. For example, it can make it difficult to maintain a job or manage schoolwork. It can also cause financial problems, like not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can lead to low self-esteem and negatively impact relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD also struggle with gender roles in society and tend to internalize symptoms, which can increase their stress and anxiety in relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD are likely to worsen over time. They may also become more prominent when an individual is stressed or is going through an important life event. For example women might experience more issues with symptoms at home or at work after having a divorce, becoming pregnant or having children.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms by combining therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can teach them how to manage time and organize their schedules and aid in improving their overall performance. You may also find it beneficial working with an ADHD coach or join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, girls and women 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. Due to this distinction in the way symptoms are presented females and girls are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed than males and females.
The signs of inattention ADHD can show up as a lack of focus, confusion or difficulty managing time at work and home. This can lead to missed appointments, difficulty 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 issues can affect relationships, affect school and work performance, and cause problems at home or in relationships.
For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a disorder that was only affecting males and girls. The initial studies on ADHD focused on the behavior of hyperactive boys, which helped in the development of diagnostic criteria and rating scales still in use today. This led to the belief that ADHD was a problem only for boys. Many women and girls weren't diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescent girls grow into adults, they may be struggling to navigate everyday life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep a clean home and maintain their daily routines can cause feelings of inadequacy. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety may also be associated with ADHD in women, which could further complicate the ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many treatments for adults suffering from 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 talk to you about which medications are best for your needs.
Your doctor may also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and build self-esteem. They can teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family to be aware of the condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones or psychoeducation for the family that helps your loved ones know about your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. Women with inattentive ADHD might have difficulty to keep track of their time at work and home 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 uncomfortable or misunderstood due to their symptoms.
The changes in hormone levels during menstrual cycle, menopausal and pregnancy can impact your ADHD symptoms. The treatment plan you follow will depend on your current hormone levels as well as your age and stage of life. It is possible that your symptoms improve when you are pregnant as the increase in estrogen helps to balance the chemicals in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest 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 suffering from ADHD have unique issues when it comes down to managing their symptoms. attention deficit in women have to manage an intricate interaction between gender expectations and executive functioning issues. They also have to deal with the sensitivity of rejection which can lead them to feel embarrassed when they fail to meet social expectations. This dynamic can make it difficult for them to establish and maintain relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and try to blend in, which can mask their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to identify their own anxiety and feelings, and often assume their behaviors are "normal."
Due to these factors, girls and women are less likely than men and boys to receive a precise diagnosis. Furthermore, their symptoms are more likely to be inactive than hyperactive, and therefore do not easily trigger concern. This can cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medications help reduce 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 patients may experience a severe reaction to these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and these drugs are often combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
These individuals should tell their healthcare provider about any prior issues that they have had with ADHD. They can use this information to develop a treatment plan. They may also ask their health care providers to refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating ADHD in women and girls. These specialists can offer counseling and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle management techniques including job accommodations, as well as school accommodations.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of issues that can lead to misdiagnosis and a lack of recognition of symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD tend to favor male behaviors, and females who suffer from the condition are more likely to experience more internalized symptoms like anxiety and depression (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also experience different symptoms and symptoms of inattention appearing more frequently than hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms.
The first step is to talk to a primary care physician. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to a mental health professional. Many women discover that having a diagnosis can help them accept their challenges and deal with them more effectively.
A doctor will typically prescribe medications to help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Most stimulant medications are prescribed however, non-stimulants can be an option for some people. Doctors can also suggest therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people overcome negative thinking patterns and behavior. They can also advise on ways to improve communication and relationships.
The support of family members is essential for managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people comprehend the challenges ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like forgetfulness and difficulty making decisions.
Many people with ADHD have a hard time getting help or admitting they need assistance. A doctor can assist them in overcoming this obstacle by helping them understand how ADHD affects their lives, and also by giving them strategies to improve their performance at school and at work. They can also ask their coworkers and teachers for minor adjustments to help them be successful in their jobs or classes.