Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in males and females, women can suffer from the disorder too. The symptoms may change based on the time of year, due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. The treatment of ADHD with medication and therapy improves relationships, school and work 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 related with the structure of the brain or levels of chemicals like estrogen. The female hormones can also change during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be masked or exacerbated by anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed of their symptoms and don't inform their doctor, making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in many areas of a woman's life. adhd in older women is often difficult to sustain a career or keep up with schoolwork. It can also lead to financial issues, such as not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can result in low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women with ADHD have difficulty navigating the gender roles of society. They also tend to internalize their symptoms which can cause an increase in stress and relationship problems.
The signs of ADHD can worsen as time goes by. They may also be more noticeable when a woman is under stress or going through a major life event. If a woman divorces, becomes pregnant or has children, she might experience more issues with symptoms at work or home.
Women can learn how to manage their symptoms by combining therapy with behavioral strategies. Therapists can help them develop organizational and time management skills and assist in improving their overall performance. You might also find it beneficial working with an ADHD coach or join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Because of gender stereotypes, females and girls may have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to a tendency to hide 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 compared to boys and men.
The signs of inattention ADHD can manifest as disorganization, forgetfulness or difficulties with time management at work and home. This could lead to missing appointments, having 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 symptoms can lead to problems in relationships, at work and at home, as well as at school.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered as a condition that only affects boys and men. The first studies of ADHD focused on hyperactive boys' behavior, which helped shape the diagnostic criteria and rating systems used today. This led to the assumption that ADHD was only a problem for male children and that many girls and women were not diagnosed due to the fact that their behavior didn't match the traditional stereotypes of the disorder.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they might be struggling to navigate everyday life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain their home in order and maintain their daily routines may also cause feelings of inadequacy. Women may also experience mood disorders such as anxiety and depression which can make it harder to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a myriad of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD which 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 also help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you which medications are most appropriate for your particular condition.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medications. Specialized therapists in ADHD can help you learn to manage your symptoms, and help you build confidence in yourself. They can help you learn healthy strategies for coping and help your family members be aware of your condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy that teaches you to 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 learn coping strategies.
Women can experience different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. Women with inattention ADHD may 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. women and adhd might feel ashamed or misunderstood because of their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can affect how your ADHD symptoms manifest. Your treatment plan will depend on your current hormone levels as well as your age and stage of life. You may find that your symptoms improve when you are pregnant as the increase in estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest taking part in a clinical trial. These studies explore new ways to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions.
Medication
Women with ADHD face unique problems in managing their symptoms. They must deal with complex interactions between gender expectations and executive functioning issues. They also have to deal with sensitivity to rejection, which can cause feelings of shame when they are unable to meet social expectations. This is a contributing factor to their difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to hide their struggles and try to blend in, which can disguise their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to recognize their own troubling emotions and frequently believe that their behavior is "normal."
Because of adhd in women treatment makes it harder for girls and women to get a clear diagnosis than males and females. In addition, their symptoms are more likely to be unresponsive than hyperactive and aren't likely to trigger alarm. This could cause them to be undiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications help control the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. Drugs that stimulate are usually the first choice for patients with ADHD. However, they should be monitored closely as some people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and these medications can be combined with psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
They should inform their doctor about any past issues related to ADHD. They can use this information to develop a treatment plan. They can also request that their healthcare provider recommends them to a mental health professional who has experience treating ADHD among women and girls. These specialists may offer counseling and psychotherapy methods for managing lifestyles as well as school and job accommodations and other treatments to aid in managing their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD can face a variety of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. The scales used to rate ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior. Women with ADHD are also more likely to develop internalized symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Women also experience different symptoms, with inattentive symptoms appearing more frequently than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
The first step is to talk with your primary healthcare provider. They will assess your symptoms and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women are aware that having a diagnosis can help them accept their challenges and manage them more effectively.
A doctor is likely to prescribe medications to help regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Stimulant medications are most common, but non-stimulants are an option for a few people. Doctors can also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behavior. They can also give suggestions on how to improve communication and relationships.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD requires support from loved ones. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people understand the difficulties ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn how to deal with problems that may arise from impulsive or inattentive behavior, like inattention and difficulty in making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are reluctant to seek assistance or admit that they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this barrier by explaining how ADHD affects them and guiding them through coping strategies to help them perform better in the classroom and at work. They may also ask their coworkers or teachers for small adjustments to help them succeed in class or at work.