Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults
While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent in boys and men, women can suffer from the disorder as well. Symptoms can vary at different times, as hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause can exacerbate them.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is the first step. Managing ADHD with medication and therapy can improve the quality of 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 due to the brain's structure or levels similar to estrogen. Female hormones also change during the menstrual period as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. The symptoms of ADHD can also be masked by a variety of mood disorders, like depression and anxiety. People with these comorbid disorders often feel ashamed of their symptoms and are reluctant to disclose them to their doctor, which makes it difficult to identify and treated.
Untreated ADHD can create problems in many aspects of a woman's life. It is often difficult to sustain an occupation or manage schoolwork. It can also lead to financial problems, like failing to pay bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can impact relationships and create feelings of low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD also have trouble navigating gender roles in society and are more likely to internalize their symptoms, which can cause their distress and difficulty with relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse over time. They can be more apparent when a woman is under stress or experiencing an important life event. For instance women might experience more trouble with symptoms at home or at work after getting divorced, having children or becoming pregnant.
Women can learn to manage their symptoms by combining therapy and behavioral strategies. A therapist can help them learn organizational and time management skills and help improve their overall performance. They may also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Females and females may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis because of 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 the way symptoms are presented gender, women and girls are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as compared to boys and men.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms can include forgetfulness, disorganization or issues in managing time both at home and at work. This may result in delays in appointments, problems paying bills on time and difficulty completing school 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 cause problems in relationships, at work and 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 initial studies on ADHD focused on the behaviors of boys who were hyperactive. This helped in the development of diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. This led to the notion that ADHD was only a problem for male children. Many women and girls were never diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they may have issues navigating daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep an orderly home, and manage their daily routines may also cause feelings of inadequacy. Depression and anxiety can also co-occur with ADHD in women, which could hinder their ability to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available to adults 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 can also reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you the medications that best suit your condition.
In addition to medications Your doctor might also suggest therapy. Specialists in ADHD can help you learn to manage your symptoms and help you build self-esteem. They can help you learn healthy coping techniques and help your family to be aware of the condition. They can offer cognitive behavioral therapy which helps you recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones, or family psychoeducation that helps your loved ones to comprehend your ADHD and develop coping strategies.
Women may have ADHD symptoms that differ from men. Women who are not attentive to ADHD may find it difficult to keep track of their time 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. They might feel embarrassed or misunderstood by their symptoms.
Changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopausal changes can impact how your ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment you receive will depend on your current hormone levels and your age as well as the stage of life. You might notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as estrogen levels increase to help balance the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you consider participating in a clinical trial. These studies explore new ways to prevent and treat diseases, as well as detect and conditions.
Medication
Women with ADHD face particular challenges when it comes to managing their symptoms. They must deal with a complex interplay between gender expectations and executive function problems. They also have to contend with the sensitivity of rejection that can cause feelings of shame when they are unable to meet social expectations. This can make it difficult for them to form and maintain relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and may even try to blend into. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, they struggle to identify their own anxiety and feelings, and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Because of these factors that make it more difficult for girls and women to get an accurate diagnosis than boys and men. Furthermore the symptoms of women are more likely to be unresponsive than hyperactive and do not easily trigger concern. This could cause them to be underdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.
The medications assist in reducing the chemical imbalances which trigger the symptoms of ADHD among women and girls. Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for patients with ADHD. However, adhd in older women need to be monitored carefully as certain people may have a serious response to these medications. Other drugs that do not stimulate are also available, and they are often combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to improve symptoms.
They should inform their doctor about any prior issues related to ADHD. They can use this information to create a treatment plan. They can also ask their health care providers to refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in treating ADHD in women and girls. These specialists can offer psychotherapy and counseling and methods for managing your lifestyle, job accommodations, and school accommodations.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD face a number of challenges, such as incorrect diagnosis or a lack of recognition of signs. Rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behaviors, and women who suffer from the condition are more likely to experience more internalized symptoms such as depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women are more likely to exhibit different symptoms, with inattentive symptom presentation being more common than hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms.
First, you should speak to your primary care provider. They will assess your symptoms and refer you to a specialist in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them accept their difficulties more efficiently and effectively manage them.
Typically doctors prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Non-stimulant medications are also available to certain people. Doctors can also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which can help people overcome negative thinking patterns and behavior. They can also offer suggestions on how to improve communication and relationships.
Support from family members is crucial to tackling the symptoms of ADHD. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help people better understand the challenges that ADHD creates in their lives. They can also learn how to manage issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like memory loss and difficulties in making decisions.
Many people with ADHD are reluctant to seek assistance or admit that they require help. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects them and guiding them through coping strategies to improve their performance in the classroom and at work. They can also ask their coworkers and teachers for small accommodations to help them achieve their goals in their job or classes.