Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent for men and boys, women can suffer from the disorder as well. The symptoms can change in different seasons, since hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can cause them to worsen.
Treatment and diagnosis are crucial first steps. Managing ADHD through medication and therapy improves relationships, work and school performance.
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 with brain structure or levels of chemicals like estrogen. Female hormones can change during the menstrual period or pregnancy, as well as perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Symptoms of ADHD can also be disguised by a variety of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Women who suffer from these conditions are often embarrassed by their symptoms and aren't able to report them to their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in many areas of a woman's daily life. It can be difficult to maintain an occupation or manage schoolwork. It can also lead to financial issues, like being late to appointments or paying bills, and a lack of payment. It can affect relationships and cause feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD have a difficult time navigating gender roles of society. They also tend to internalize their symptoms and this can cause an increase in stress and relationship problems.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse over time. They can be more apparent when women are stressed or experiencing some major life change. For instance women might experience more issues with symptoms at home or at work following getting divorced, pregnant or having children.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms through the combination of therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can teach them the art of time management and organization and aid in improving their overall performance. They may also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or attending an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, females and girls may have difficulty getting 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. Due to this difference in symptom manifestations females and girls tend to be misdiagnosed more frequently than males and females.
The signs of inattention ADHD can manifest as a lack of focus, confusion or problems managing time at work and home. This can result in delayed appointments, difficulty paying bills on time and difficulties completing assignments at school or at work. 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, at home, as well as at school.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered as a condition that only affects males and boys. The early studies of ADHD focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive, which helped define diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. This led to the notion that ADHD only affected males as well as girls and women were not diagnosed due to the fact that their behaviors did not fit the typical stereotypes of the disorder.
Untreated ADHD can cause teenagers and girls to have difficulty navigating their lives as adults. Additionally the struggles they face to organize their finances, maintain their home clean and maintain routines in their lives can cause feelings of being inadequate. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety may also be associated with ADHD in women, which may make it more difficult to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available for adults with ADHD. This 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 depression and anxiety symptoms. inattentive add in women will discuss with you the medications that are the most suitable for your particular condition.
Your doctor may also recommend therapy in addition to medications. Specialists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms and also help you build confidence in yourself. They can also teach you healthy strategies to cope and help your family members understand the severity of your condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer family psychoeducation which helps your loved one to comprehend ADHD and develop strategies for coping.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. For example women with inattentive type ADHD may have trouble staying organized at home and work 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. They may feel uncomfortable or misunderstood due to their symptoms.
The fluctuation in hormone levels during 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 in life. You may find that your symptoms improve when you're pregnant because the surge of estrogen can help regulate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Your doctor may also suggest that you participate in a research study. These studies are designed to find new ways to prevent, detect or treat illnesses.
Medication
Women with ADHD have unique difficulties in managing their symptoms. They have to manage complex interactions between gender expectations and executive functioning problems. They must also deal with the sensitivity of rejection that can lead to feelings of shame when they are unable to meet social expectations. This is a contributing factor to their difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and they may try to blend in. This can mask ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own feelings of distress and often believe that their behaviors are "normal."
Because of these factors that make it more difficult for girls and women to receive an accurate diagnosis than boys and men. In addition, their symptoms tend to be less severe and more inattentive rather than hyperactive. This makes them less likely to cause concern. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The use of medications can help to control the chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. These medications are often the first choice for those suffering from the disorder, but they must be carefully watched as some people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. Non-stimulant drugs are also available. These drugs can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
It is crucial for those with ADHD to inform their doctor about any issues they have had prior to being diagnosed to ADHD, because they can utilize this information when preparing an treatment plan. They may also ask their health professionals to refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in treating ADHD in women and girls. They can provide psychotherapy and counseling as well as lifestyle management techniques such as job accommodations, school accommodations.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD are often faced with a range of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. The rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behaviors. Women who suffer from ADHD are also more likely to develop internalized symptoms like anxiety and depression. Women also have different symptom presentations, with inattentive symptoms appearing more frequently than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
In the beginning, you should talk to your primary care provider. They will assess your symptoms, and recommend you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis allows them to accept their issues more efficiently and effectively manage them.
Typically doctors will prescribe medications to control brain activity and reduce symptoms. Non-stimulant drugs are also available for some people. Doctors can also prescribe therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behaviors. They can also advise on ways to improve communication and relationships.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD requires the support of loved ones. Counseling and therapy for families can help people to understand the challenges ADHD poses in their lives. They can also learn how to overcome issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, such as inattention and difficulty in making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance or admit that they need help. A doctor can help them overcome this barrier by helping them explain how ADHD affects their lives, and by teaching them coping strategies to improve their performance at work and school. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for small accommodations that will help them succeed in class or at work.