Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Although ADHD symptoms are more common for men and boys however, women can be affected by the disorder as well. The symptoms can change at different times, as hormone changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can cause them to worsen.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. Managing ADHD by taking medication and therapy can improve work relationships, social interactions 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 brain structure or levels of estrogen. Female hormones can change during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and perimenopause. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medications. The symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, like depression and anxiety. Women with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed of their symptoms and are reluctant to disclose them to their doctor, making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause a variety of issues in a woman's daily life. It can be challenging to maintain the pace of work or keep up with schoolwork. It can also cause financial problems, such as being late to appointments or paying bills, and a lack of payment. It can affect relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time navigating gender roles that society expects of them. They also tend to internalize their symptoms, which can lead to an increase in stress and relationship problems.
The symptoms of ADHD can worsen over time. They can also be more noticeable when women are stressed or going through some major life change. After a woman gets divorced, becomes pregnant, or has children, she may experience more issues with symptoms at home or at work.
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 assist in improving their overall performance. It may also be beneficial working with an ADHD coach or join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Girls and women may struggle to determine the correct diagnosis due to gender stereotypes and the 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 symptom presentation gender, women and girls are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as compared to men and boys.
The signs of inattention ADHD can manifest as disorganization, forgetfulness or difficulty with time management at work and home. This can lead to delays in appointments, problems paying bills on time, and difficulty 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 symptoms can cause problems in relationships at work, at home, as well as at school.
For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a condition that only affected boys and men. The initial studies of ADHD mostly focused on the behavior of hyperactive boys, which helped to shape diagnostic criteria and rating scales still in use today. This led to the assumption that ADHD was only a problem for male children. Many women and girls were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not in line with the stereotypes.
Untreated ADHD can cause teenagers and girls to struggle with their lives as adults. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain a clean home and maintain their daily routines may also lead to feelings of inadequateness. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety may also be associated with ADHD in women, which may hinder their ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults suffering from ADHD. This 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 also help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will consult with you about the medications that are best for your needs.
In addition to medications Your doctor may also recommend therapy. Specialists in ADHD can teach you how to manage your symptoms and help you build self-esteem. They can teach you healthy coping techniques and help your family members comprehend your condition. They can also provide cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you to identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or family psychoeducation which can help your loved ones better comprehend your ADHD and develop coping skills.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. For example women with inattentive-type ADHD might struggle to stay organized at home and work 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. They might feel uncomfortable or misunderstood due to their symptoms.
Changes in hormone levels during menstrual cycle, menopausal and pregnancy can affect your ADHD symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on your current hormone levels and your age and stage of life. You may notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as estrogen levels increase to help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor may recommend taking part in a clinical trial. These studies aim to find new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases.
Medication
Women with ADHD have their own unique difficulties when it comes to managing their symptoms. They have to manage complex interactions between gender expectations and executive functions problems. They must also contend with the sensitivity of rejection which can lead them to feel ashamed when they fail to meet social expectations. This is a contributing factor to their difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. add women may develop coping strategies to hide their struggles and try to fit in, which can disguise their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to understand their troubling emotions and frequently assume that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these reasons due to these factors, women and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive a correct diagnosis. Moreover their symptoms tend to be less severe and more active rather than attentive. This means they are less likely to trigger concern. This can lead them to be undiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
Medications help reduce the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. Drugs that stimulate are usually the first choice for patients with ADHD. However, they need to be monitored closely as some patients may experience a severe reaction to these drugs. Non-stimulant medications are also available. These drugs can be combined with psychotherapy and behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to inform their health care provider about any issues they have had prior to being diagnosed to ADHD as they will be able to use this information to create an treatment plan. They can also ask their health care providers to refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating ADHD both in girls and women. These professionals can provide psychotherapy and counseling and lifestyle management techniques, job accommodations, and school accommodations.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD are skewed toward male behaviors, and females who suffer from the condition are more likely to develop more internalized symptoms like anxiety and depression (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also experience various symptom manifestations, with inattentive symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms.
First, you should speak to your primary care physician. They will evaluate your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that a diagnosis allows them to accept their issues more effectively and manage them better.
Typically doctors will prescribe medication to control brain activity and manage symptoms. Non-stimulant medicines are also available for some people. Doctors can also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behavior. They can also offer 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 recognize the challenges ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues caused by inattention or impulsive behaviors, such as inability to make decisions or forgetfulness.
Many people suffering from ADHD are reluctant to seek help or admit they need assistance. A doctor can help them overcome this barrier by helping them understand how ADHD affects their lives, and by teaching them coping strategies to help them perform better at school and work. They can also ask co-workers and teachers for small accommodations to help them succeed in their jobs or classes.