Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Women also have ADHD symptoms, but they are more common in boys and men. The symptoms can change at different times, as hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can make them worse.
A diagnosis and treatment are important first steps. The treatment of 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 related with the structure of the brain or levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Female hormones also change during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal, which can affect how well ADHD medication works. Symptoms of ADHD can also be masked by various mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. Women who suffer from these conditions often feel more shame about their symptoms and don't inform their doctors and make it difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in many areas of a woman's life. It can be difficult to maintain 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 impact relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD struggle to navigate gender roles of society. They also tend to internalize their symptoms which can cause more stress and relationship issues.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse over time. They may be more apparent when a woman is under stress or experiencing some major life change. If a woman divorces or is pregnant, or has children, she might experience more issues with symptoms at home or at work.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through a combination of behavioral and therapy strategies. A therapist can teach them organizational and time management skills and aid in improving their overall performance. It may also be beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or attend an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, women and girls may be unable to get an accurate diagnosis due to 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. Because of this distinction in the symptom presentation, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed more often than boys and men.
Inattention ADHD symptoms include forgetfulness, disorganization or issues with time management both at home and at work. This could result in delays in appointments, problems 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. add adult women can cause problems in relationships, at work and at home and in school.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered as a condition that only affects boys and men. The first studies of ADHD mostly focused on the behavior of boys who were hyperactive, which helped define the diagnostic criteria and scales of rating that are still in use. This led to the notion that ADHD was a problem only for male children. A lot of women and girls weren't diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not in line with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they could 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 can cause feelings of inadequacy. Women may also experience mood disorders like depression and anxiety, which makes it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for adults with ADHD, including 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 can also reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will talk with you which medications are the most suitable for your condition.
In addition to medications, your doctor may recommend therapy. Specialized therapists for ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and also help you build self-esteem. They can teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family to understand your condition. They can offer cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer psychoeducation for your family members that helps your loved one better understand ADHD and develop strategies for coping.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. For instance, a woman with inattentive-type ADHD might struggle to stay organized at work and home 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. In the end, they may feel misunderstood or even embarrassed by their symptoms.
Changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopausal changes can affect how ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you follow will be based on the current levels of hormones and your age and stage in life. You may notice that your symptoms are better during pregnancy, as the surge of estrogen can help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor may also suggest that you participate in a study conducted by a clinical researcher. These studies are designed to uncover new ways to detect, prevent or treat illnesses.
Medication
Women with ADHD face unique difficulties in managing their symptoms. They have to manage a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive functions issues. They also have to deal with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of shame when they can't meet social expectations. This makes it difficult for them to form and maintain relationships. They may develop coping mechanisms to conceal their struggles and they may attempt to blend into. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own anxiety and often believe that their behaviors are "normal."
Due to these factors females and girls are less likely than boys and men to receive a correct diagnosis. In addition, their symptoms are more likely to be inattentive than hyperactive and thus aren't likely to trigger alarm. This can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment.
The drugs help to control the chemical imbalances which trigger the symptoms of ADHD for girls and women. Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for these patients. However, they must be monitored carefully as certain patients may experience a severe reaction to these medications. Non-stimulant drugs are also available, and these drugs can be combined with psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to tell their health care provider about any previous issues related to ADHD, because they can utilize this information when preparing an treatment plan. They may also request that their health care provider recommends them to a mental healthcare professional who is experienced in treating ADHD both in girls and women. These specialists may offer psychotherapy and counseling as well as lifestyle management strategies as well as school and job accommodations and other therapies that help them better manage their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD have a variety of difficulties, including incorrect diagnosis or a lack of recognition of signs. Rating scales for ADHD are skewed toward male behavior, and women who suffer from the condition are more likely to suffer from more internalized signs such as depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women tend to have different symptoms, with inattention symptom manifestation being more prevalent than hyperactive or impulse symptom.
The first step is to talk to a primary care physician. They will assess your symptoms, and recommend you to a specialist in mental health. Many women are aware that having a diagnosis helps them recognize their struggles and deal with them more effectively.
Typically, a doctor will prescribe medications to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are, but non-stimulants are an option for some people. Doctors may also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behavior. They can also advise on ways to improve communication and relationships.
Support from family members is crucial to tackling the symptoms of ADHD. Counseling and therapy for families can help people understand the difficulties ADHD poses in their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues that arise from impulsive or inattentive behavior, such as inattention and difficulty in making decisions.
Many people with ADHD are unable to getting help or admitting they need assistance. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects the person and teaching them strategies for coping to help them perform better in the classroom and at work. They can also ask co-workers and teachers for minor adjustments to make it easier to achieve their goals in their job or classes.