Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
Although ADHD symptoms are more prevalent for men and boys but women can also be affected by the disorder too. Symptoms can vary in different seasons, since hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycle and pregnancy or menopausal symptoms can exacerbate them.
A diagnosis and treatment are crucial first steps. The treatment of 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 brain structure or levels similar to estrogen. Female hormones also change during menstrual periods as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medications. The symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. People with these comorbid disorders often feel more shame about their symptoms, and they aren't willing to disclose them to their physicians 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 is often difficult to sustain a career or maintain a schedule for schoolwork. It can also lead to financial issues, such as not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can affect relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD have a difficult time navigating gender roles that society expects of them. They also tend to internalize their issues which can cause more stress and relationship issues.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. They may also become more prominent when an individual is stressed or experiencing a major life event. After a woman gets divorced or becomes pregnant or has children, she may have more difficulty with symptoms at work or home.
Women can manage their symptoms using the use of behavioral strategies and therapy. A therapist can help them learn the art of time management and organization and help improve their overall performance. You might also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or to join an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Due to gender stereotypes, girls and women might have a difficult time getting an accurate diagnosis due to a 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, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed a lot more often than boys and men.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include disorganization, forgetfulness or issues with time management at home and at work. This could lead to missed appointments, trouble paying bills on time and struggling to keep up with schoolwork 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 symptoms can lead to problems in relationships, at work, at home and in school.
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a disorder that was only an issue for males and girls. The early studies on ADHD mostly focused on the behavior of hyperactive boys, which helped in the development of diagnostic criteria and rating scales still in use today. This led to the belief that ADHD was only a problem for male children. A lot of women and girls were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior did not fit the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescent girls become adults, they might continue to experience difficulties navigating everyday life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain an orderly home, and manage their daily routines can cause feelings of inadequacy. Mood issues such as depression and anxiety can also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could hinder their ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available to adults with 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 anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will talk to you about the medications that are most appropriate for your needs.
Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medications. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and build self-esteem. They can also teach you healthy strategies for coping and assist your family members in understanding the condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy which helps you identify negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or family psychoeducation which can help your loved ones to know about your ADHD and learn coping strategies.
Women may have ADHD symptoms that differ from men. Women with inattention ADHD may find it difficult to stay on top of things at home and at work, or forget appointments and bills. In contrast, a woman with the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD may be more disruptive in social and professional settings. As a result, they might feel misunderstood, or even embarrassed by their behavior.
The fluctuation in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can affect how your 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 improve during pregnancy, when estrogen levels rise to neutralize the chemical imbalance in your brain. Your doctor may also suggest that you take part in a clinical study. These trials are designed to uncover new ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD face unique difficulties when it comes to managing their symptoms. They have to deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function issues. They must also contend with the sensitivity of rejection which can cause them to feel ashamed when they don't meet social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and try to fit into the crowd, which may mask their ADHD symptoms. They also struggle to understand their distressing emotions and often assume their behaviors are "normal."
Because of these reasons due to these factors, women and girls are less likely than boys and men to receive an accurate diagnose. Additionally, their symptoms tend to be less severe and active rather than attentive. This means they are less likely to raise concerns. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Iam Psychiatry can control the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls. Drugs that stimulate are usually the first choice for these patients. However, they need to be monitored closely as some people may have a serious reaction to these drugs. Non-stimulant drugs are also available. These drugs can be combined psychotherapy and behavioral treatments in order to treat symptoms.
These individuals should tell their doctor about any previous difficulties that they have had with ADHD. They can use this information to create a treatment plan. They may also ask their health care providers to refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating ADHD in women and girls. They can provide counseling and psychotherapy along with lifestyle management techniques including job accommodations, as well as school accommodations.
Support
Women with ADHD have a variety of difficulties, including the misdiagnosis of symptoms or not being recognized. Rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behavior, and women with the condition tend to experience more internalized symptoms like anxiety and depression (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also tend to experience various symptom manifestations with inattention symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
The first step is to talk to your primary care provider. They will assess your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis allows them to accept their challenges more efficiently and effectively manage them.
Typically doctors prescribe medications to control brain activity and manage symptoms. Stimulant medications are most common but non-stimulants are an option for certain people. Doctors can also suggest therapies, like cognitive behavior therapy, which can help people to change their negative thinking patterns and behavior. They can also give suggestions on how to improve relationships and communication.
Support from family members is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people recognize the challenges ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn to deal with problems caused by inattention or impulsive behavior, such as forgetfulness or difficulty making decisions.
Many people with ADHD are hesitant to ask for help or admit they need assistance. A doctor can help them overcome this hurdle by helping them explain how ADHD affects their lives, and also by providing them with strategies to boost their performance at work and school. They can also ask co-workers and teachers for minor adjustments to make it easier to succeed in their jobs or classes.
