Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men, women can suffer from the disorder too. The symptoms can change in different seasons, since hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can cause them to worsen.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. The treatment of ADHD through medication and therapy improves relationships, school and work 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 brain structure or levels like estrogen. The female hormones can also change during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medications. The symptoms of ADHD are also covered by various mood disorders, like anxiety and depression. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed of their symptoms and do not disclose them to their doctor, which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in many aspects of a woman's daily life. For instance, it could make it difficult to maintain the job or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also cause financial problems, like not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can cause low self-esteem and affect relationships. Women who suffer from ADHD struggle to navigate gender roles that society expects of them. They are also more likely to internalize their symptoms and this can cause an increase in stress and relationship problems.
The symptoms of ADHD are more severe over time. They may also be more noticeable when a woman is under stress or going through an important life event. For example, a woman might have more issues with symptoms at home or at work after getting divorced, having children or becoming pregnant.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms by combining therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can assist them to 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 attending an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Because of gender stereotypes, girls and women may be unable to get an accurate diagnosis due to 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. Because of this difference in the presentation of symptoms, girls and women are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed compared to males and females.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can manifest as a lack of focus, confusion or difficulty with time management at work and home. This could result in 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 signs can cause disruption to relationships, hinder work and school performance and cause problems at home or in relationships.
For many years, ADHD has been considered a disorder that affects only boys and men. The first studies of ADHD focused primarily on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive which influenced the diagnostic criteria and rating systems still used today. This led to the notion that ADHD was only a problem for male children as well as girls and women weren't diagnosed because their behaviors did not fit the stereotypes associated with the disorder.
As girls and adolescent girls become adults, they may be struggling to navigate daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep their home in order and manage their daily routines may also cause feelings of inadequacy. Women can also suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression which can 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 anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you the medications that are the most suitable for your particular condition.
In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend therapy. Specialized therapists for ADHD can help you learn to manage your symptoms, and help you build self-esteem. They can also help you learn healthy strategies for coping and help your family members understand the condition. They can also provide cognitive behavioral therapy which helps you recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or psychoeducation for the family, which helps your loved ones better understand your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. For instance women with inattentive type ADHD may struggle to stay organised at home and at work or be forgetful of appointments and bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. They might feel ashamed or misunderstood because of their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle and pregnancy could influence your ADHD symptoms. adhd in women choose to take will be based on your current hormone levels and your age and stage in life. You might notice that your symptoms get better during pregnancy, as estrogen levels rise to neutralize the chemical imbalance in your brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you consider taking part in a clinical trial. These studies aim to find new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases.
Medication
Women suffering from ADHD have unique problems in managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function problems. They must also deal with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of shame when they can't meet social expectations. This dynamic can make it difficult for them to build and maintain relationships. They may develop strategies for coping to cover up their issues and attempt to blend in, which can mask their ADHD symptoms. In addition, they struggle to identify their own distressing emotions and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Due to these factors, girls and women are less likely than boys and men to receive a precise diagnosis. In addition, their symptoms tend to be more unresponsive than hyperactive and do not easily trigger concern. This can cause them to be undiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The use of medications can help to manage the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. The stimulant drugs are typically the first choice for these patients. However, they must be monitored closely as some patients may experience a severe reaction to these medications. Non-stimulant drugs are also available. These medications can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
They should inform their healthcare provider about any past issues with ADHD. They can utilize this information to develop an treatment plan. They can also request for their doctor to refers them to a mental healthcare professional who has experience treating ADHD both in girls and women. These professionals can provide psychotherapy and counseling methods for managing lifestyles, job and school accommodations and other treatments to assist them in managing their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD can face a variety of difficulties that can lead to misdiagnosis and a lack of recognition of symptoms. The scales used to rate ADHD tend to be biased towards male-dominated behaviors. Women who suffer from ADHD also tend to develop internalized symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Women also experience various symptom manifestations, with inattentive symptoms being more frequent than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms.
The first step is to talk to your primary care provider. They can assess your symptoms and recommend you to a mental health professional. Many women find that a diagnosis allows them to accept their challenges more effectively and manage them better.
Typically doctors will prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Non-stimulant drugs are also available for some people. Doctors may also prescribe therapy, like cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders, which can assist people in changing negative thoughts and behaviors. They can also advise on ways to improve communication and improve relationships.
The support of family members is crucial to tackling the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people comprehend the difficulties ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn to deal with problems caused by impulsive or inattentive behaviors, such as forgetfulness or difficulty making decisions.
Many people with ADHD have a hard time getting assistance or admitting they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this barrier by explaining how ADHD affects the person 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 succeed in their jobs or classes.