Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men but women can also be affected by the disorder as well. The symptoms can change depending on the season, due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstruation and pregnancy or menopausal.
A diagnosis and treatment are crucial first steps. Managing ADHD with medication and therapy 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 be due to the brain's structure or levels like estrogen. Female hormones can change during the menstrual period, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This could affect the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Symptoms of ADHD can also be masked by various mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Women with these comorbid disorders often feel embarrassed about their symptoms and are reluctant to report them to their doctor, which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in many aspects of a woman's life. It is often difficult to sustain an occupation or keep up with schoolwork. It can also cause financial difficulties, such as missing payments or forgetting about appointments and bills. It can also affect relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD have difficulty navigating the gender roles of society. They also tend to internalize their symptoms, which can lead to more stress and relationship issues.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. They may also become more obvious when a person is stressed or experiencing a major life event. For instance women may 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 through a combination of behavioral and therapy strategies. A therapist can help them learn organizational and time management skills and aid in improving their overall performance. You may also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, females and girls 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 females and girls are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed compared to boys and men.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include a lack of focus, confusion, or difficulties in managing time both at home and at work. This may result in missing appointments, having trouble paying bills on time and difficulty keeping 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 symptoms can lead to problems in relationships, at work, at home and in school.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered an illness that affects only males and boys. The first studies of ADHD focused primarily on hyperactive boys' behaviors, which helped shape the diagnostic criteria and rating systems used today. This led to the belief that ADHD only impacted male children, and many women and girls were not diagnosed due to the fact that their behaviors didn't fit the traditional stereotypes of the disorder.
Untreated ADHD can cause teenagers and girls to have difficulty navigating their lives as adults. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep their home in order and maintain their daily routines can lead to feelings of inadequateness. Women can also be affected by mood issues like anxiety and depression which can make it harder to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many 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 can also decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you the medications that best suit your situation.
Your doctor may also recommend therapy in addition to medication. Specialized therapists for ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and can help you build confidence in yourself. They can help you learn healthy ways to cope and assist your family to understand your condition. They can also provide cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones or family psychoeducation which can help your loved ones to know about your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may have ADHD symptoms that are different from men. For instance, a woman with inattentive-type ADHD may have trouble staying organized at work and home or forget about 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 be embarrassed or misunderstood by their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes can impact how your ADHD symptoms manifest. Your treatment plan depends on your current hormonal levels as well as your age and stage of life. You may notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as the surge of estrogen can neutralize the chemical imbalance in your brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you consider taking part in a clinical study. These studies are designed to find new ways to detect, prevent or treat illnesses.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD have particular challenges to manage their symptoms. They must contend with a complex interplay between gender expectations and executive function problems. They must also deal with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of shame when they don't keep up with social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to cover up their issues, and they may try to blend in. This can mask ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own distressing feelings and often assume that their behaviors are "normal."
Because of these reasons, girls and women are less likely than men and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. Additionally their symptoms tend to be less severe and more attentive, rather than hyperactive. adhd in women are less likely to cause concern. This can cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications help control the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD among women and girls. Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for these patients. However, they must be monitored closely as some individuals may have a significant reaction to these medications. Other drugs that do not stimulate are also available, and they are often combined with psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
It is essential for people with ADHD to inform their health care provider about any issues they have had prior to being diagnosed to ADHD, because they can use this information when creating a treatment plan. They can also request that their healthcare provider refers them to a mental healthcare professional who is experienced in treating ADHD among women and girls. These professionals can provide counseling and psychotherapy as well as methods for managing your lifestyle such as job accommodations, school accommodations.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD face a number of issues, including misdiagnosis or unrecognized signs. Rating scales for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior, and women with ADHD tend to suffer from more internalized signs like depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also experience different symptoms with inattention symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or hyperactive symptoms.
The first step is talking to a primary care physician. They can assess your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women are aware that having a diagnosis can help them face their issues and manage them more effectively.
Typically doctors prescribe medication to control brain activity and reduce symptoms. Non-stimulant medicines are also available to certain people. Doctors can also recommend therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people overcome negative thinking patterns and behaviors. They can also offer suggestions on how 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 understand the challenges ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to handle issues caused by impulsive or inattentive behaviors, like inability to make decisions or forgetfulness.
Many people with ADHD are hesitant to ask for assistance or admit that they need assistance. A doctor can help overcome this barrier by explaining how ADHD affects the person and guiding them through coping strategies to improve their performance in the classroom and at work. They can also ask their co-workers or teachers for minor adjustments to help them achieve their goals in school or at work.