Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Although ADHD symptoms are more common in males and females, women can suffer from the disorder too. The symptoms can change depending on the time of year due to hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Controlling ADHD by taking therapy and medication can improve relationships, school and work 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 the brain's structure or levels like estrogen. Female hormones also change during menstrual cycles and during pregnancy, which can affect how well ADHD medication works. Symptoms of ADHD can also be disguised by a variety of mood disorders, like anxiety and depression. Women with these comorbid conditions often feel more shame about their symptoms and don't report them to their doctors, making it harder for them to be diagnosed and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of a woman's daily life. It can be difficult to maintain the pace of work or keep up with schoolwork. It can also create financial issues, like forgetting appointments or bills and missing payments. It can impact relationships and create feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD are also unable to navigate gender roles within society and tend to internalize symptoms, which can lead to their stress and anxiety in relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. inattentive add in women can be more apparent when a woman is under stress or is going through an important life event. For example, a woman might have more trouble with symptoms at home or at work following getting divorced, pregnant or having children.
Women can manage their symptoms with the combination of behavioral and therapy strategies. Therapists can help them develop the art of time management and organization and help improve their overall performance. You may also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, women and girls might have a difficult time getting 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. Due to this difference in symptom manifestations females and girls tend to be misdiagnosed more often than boys and men.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can manifest as a lack of focus, confusion or problems with time management at work and home. This could result in delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time, and difficulty keeping up with work or school 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 disrupt relationships, hinder work and school performance and cause problems at home or in relationships.
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a disorder that was only an issue for males and boys. The early studies of ADHD focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive, 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 and that many girls and women weren't diagnosed because their behavior didn't match the stereotypes associated with the disorder.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they could have issues navigating daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain their home in order and manage their daily routines could cause feelings of inadequacy. Depression and anxiety may also be associated with ADHD in women, which may hinder their ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available to people suffering from 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 anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will talk with you which medications are most appropriate for your condition.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and boost your confidence in yourself. They can teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family members comprehend your condition. They can offer cognitive behavioral therapy which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or psychoeducation for the family which can help your loved ones understand your ADHD and learn coping strategies.
Women may experience ADHD symptoms that differ from men. For instance, a woman with inattentive-type ADHD may struggle to stay 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. In the end, they may feel slighted or even embarrassed by their behavior.
The changes in hormone levels during the menstrual period, menopausal cycle and pregnancy could influence your ADHD symptoms. The treatment you receive will depend on your current hormonal levels as well as your age and stage of life. You might notice that your symptoms get better during pregnancy because the surge of estrogen can help balance the chemicals in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest participating in a clinical trial. These studies are designed to discover new ways to prevent and treat diseases, as well as detect and conditions.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD have particular challenges to manage their symptoms. They have to deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function issues. They also have to contend with rejection sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of shame when they are unable to meet social expectations. This dynamic can make it difficult for them to establish and keep relationships. They may develop strategies for coping to conceal their struggles and attempt to blend in, which can mask their ADHD symptoms. They also struggle to recognize their own distressing feelings and are often tempted to believe that their behavior is "normal."
Due to these factors, girls and women are less likely than boys and men to receive a correct diagnosis. In addition the symptoms of women tend to be more unresponsive than hyperactive and do not easily trigger concern. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The medications assist in reducing the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD among women and girls. The stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for those suffering from the disorder, but they should be monitored as some individuals may experience a serious reaction to these medications. Non-stimulant medications are also available. These medications can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and behavioral treatments in order to alleviate symptoms.
It's important for these individuals to tell their doctor about any issues they have had prior to being diagnosed to ADHD, because they can use this information when creating an treatment plan. They can also request for their doctor to refers them to a mental health specialist who is skilled in treating ADHD among women and girls. These professionals can provide psychotherapy and counseling as well as methods for managing your lifestyle such as job accommodations, school accommodations.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD can face a variety of challenges which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. The rating scales for ADHD tend to be skewed towards male behaviors. Women with ADHD also tend to develop internalized symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Women tend to have different symptoms, with an inattention presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse symptom.
The first step is to speak to a primary care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a mental health professional. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them accept their challenges and deal with them more effectively.
Typically doctors will prescribe medications to control brain activity and manage symptoms. Non-stimulant medications are also available for certain people. Doctors may prescribe therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, to assist people in changing negative thoughts and behaviors. They can also provide advice on how to improve relationships and communication.
Family support is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people recognize the challenges ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to overcome issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like inattention and difficulty in making decisions.
Many people with ADHD struggle with getting assistance or admitting that they require assistance. A doctor can assist them in overcoming this obstacle by helping them understand how ADHD affects their lives and also by teaching them coping strategies to boost their performance at school and work. They can also ask their coworkers as well as teachers for minor accommodations to make it easier to achieve their goals in their job or classes.