Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women also have ADHD symptoms, though they are more prevalent in men and boys. The symptoms can vary based on the season, due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, or menopausal symptoms.
Treatment and diagnosis are crucial first steps. The treatment of ADHD by taking therapy and medication can improve 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 due to brain structure or levels like estrogen. The female hormones can also change during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. Symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, like depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from these conditions tend to feel more embarrassed about their symptoms and don't disclose them to their physicians, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in a variety of areas of a woman's life. For instance, it can make it difficult to keep the job or keep up with schoolwork. It can also cause financial issues, such as missing payments or forgetting about appointments and bills. It can affect relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD are also unable to navigate gender roles within society and are more likely to internalize their symptoms, which can increase their distress and difficulty with relationships.
The signs of ADHD are more severe over time. They can be more apparent when women are stressed or going through an important life event. For example women may experience more trouble with symptoms at home or at work after getting divorced, being pregnant or having children.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms with the use of behavioral and therapy strategies. A therapist can help them learn how to manage time and organize their schedules and assist in improving their overall performance. They may also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or attending an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Women and girls may have a difficult time to determine the correct diagnosis because of gender stereotypes and 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 difference in symptom manifestations females and girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed more frequently than men and boys.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include a lack of focus, confusion or problems with time management at home and at work. This could result in missed appointments, difficulty paying bills on time, and difficulty completing school 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 signs can cause issues in relationships, at work and at home and in school.
For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a condition that only affected males and boys. The first studies of ADHD focused primarily on hyperactive boys' behaviors, which helped shape the diagnostic criteria and rating systems that are still used today. This led to the assumption that ADHD only impacted male children and that many women and girls were not diagnosed due to the fact that their behaviors did not fit the typical stereotypes of the disorder.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they could continue to experience difficulties navigating daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain a clean home, and manage their daily routines could cause feelings of inadequacy. Depression and anxiety can also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatments 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 be able to discuss with you the medications that are most appropriate for your situation.
In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend therapy. Specialized therapists for ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and help you build self-esteem. They can help you learn healthy strategies for coping and help your family to be aware of your condition. They can also provide cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer psychoeducation for the family, which can help your loved one to comprehend ADHD and develop coping strategies.
Women can experience ADHD symptoms that differ from men. For instance women with inattentive-type ADHD may struggle to stay organized at work and home or be unable to remember appointments and bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. This means that they may feel misunderstood or even embarrassed by their behavior.
The fluctuation in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes can impact how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you follow will be based on your current hormone levels and your age and stage in life. You might find that your symptoms are better during pregnancy, when estrogen levels increase to help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you participate in a clinical study. These studies are designed to uncover new ways to identify, prevent or treat diseases.
Medication
Women suffering from ADHD have unique difficulties when it comes to managing their symptoms. high functioning adhd in women have to deal with an intricate interaction between gender expectations and executive functioning problems. They also have to deal with sensitivity to rejection, which can cause feelings of shame when they don't meet social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulty in maintaining and establishing relationships. They may develop coping strategies to hide their struggles, and they may attempt to fit into. This may mask their ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own distressing feelings and often believe that their behaviors are "normal."
Due to these factors, girls and women are less likely than boys and men to receive an accurate diagnose. Additionally the symptoms of women tend to be less severe and attentive, rather than hyperactive. This means they are less likely to raise concerns. This could cause them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medicines can manage the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. Stimulant medications are typically the first option for these patients, but they must be carefully monitored as some individuals may suffer a serious reaction these drugs. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and these drugs can be combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to reduce symptoms.
The individuals should inform their healthcare provider about any previous difficulties that they have had with ADHD. They can then use this information to formulate a treatment plan. They may also ask their health professionals to refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating ADHD for girls and women. These professionals can provide counseling and psychotherapy as well as lifestyle management strategies including school and job accomodations and other therapies that help them better manage their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD have many challenges, such as the misdiagnosis of symptoms or not being recognized. The scales used to rate ADHD tend to be skewed towards male behaviors. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to develop internalized symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Women also tend to experience different symptoms with inattention symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
The first step is to talk with your primary healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms and recommend you to a mental health professional. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them accept their challenges and manage them more effectively.
A doctor will typically 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 may also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people overcome negative thinking patterns and behaviors. They can also provide advice on ways to improve communication and improve relationships.
To manage 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 to deal with problems that may result from inattention or impulsive behavior, like memory loss and difficulties in making decisions.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are unable to seeking assistance or admitting they require assistance. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects the person and teaching them strategies for coping to improve their performance in the classroom and at work. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for small accommodations that will help them succeed in class or at work.