Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults

While ADHD symptoms are more common for men and boys however, women can be affected by the disorder too. The symptoms can change depending on the time of year, due to hormonal fluctuations that happen during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

Being diagnosed and receiving treatment is an important first step. The treatment of ADHD by taking therapy and medication can improve 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 have to do with brain structure or the levels of chemicals such as estrogen. Also, female hormones change during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and perimenopause, which can affect the effectiveness of ADHD medication works. ADHD symptoms can be disguised or exacerbated by anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. People with these comorbid disorders are often embarrassed of their symptoms and do not inform their doctor, which makes it difficult to identify and treated.

Untreated ADHD can cause many problems in a woman's daily life. For instance, it could make it difficult to keep a job or manage schoolwork. It can also cause financial problems, like being late to appointments or paying bills, and late payments. It can impact relationships and create feelings of low self-esteem. Women who suffer from ADHD are also unable to navigate gender roles within society and are more likely to internalize symptoms, which can increase their distress and difficulty with relationships.

The symptoms of ADHD can get worse over time. They may also become obvious when a person is stressed or undergoing an important life event. After a woman gets divorced or is pregnant or has children, she could experience more issues with symptoms at work or home.

Women can learn how to manage their symptoms by combining therapy with behavioral strategies. A therapist can teach them the art of time management and organization and assist in improving their overall performance. They may also benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group.

Diagnosis

Because of gender stereotypes, women and girls may have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis due to the tendency to conceal ADHD add symptoms in adult women. 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 the symptom presentation, girls and women tend to be misdiagnosed more frequently than men and boys.

Inattention ADHD symptoms can include forgetfulness, disorganization, or difficulties in managing time both at home and at work. This may result in missing appointments, having 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 disrupt relationships, hinder work and school performance and create problems at home or in relationships.

For a long time, ADHD was thought to be a condition that was only an issue for males and boys. The early studies on ADHD mainly focused on the behavior of boys who were hyperactive. This helped define the 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 weren't diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.

As girls and adolescent girls become adults, they could have issues navigating daily life with untreated ADHD. In addition, their struggles to organize their finances, maintain an orderly home and keep up with routines in their lives can cause feelings of being inadequate. Women can also be affected by mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment.

Treatment

There are many treatment options available to adults suffering from 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 add and adhd in women verbal memory. They can also decrease depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you which medications best suit your condition.

Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Specialized therapists in ADHD can show you how to manage your symptoms, and help you build self-esteem. They can also help you learn healthy coping strategies and help your family understand the condition. They can offer cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones or psychoeducation for the family that helps your loved ones better understand your ADHD and develop coping strategies.

Women may experience different ADHD symptoms as compared to men. Women with inattentive ADHD might find it difficult to stay organized both 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 may feel embarrassed or misunderstood by their symptoms.

Changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle and pregnancy could impact your ADHD symptoms. The treatment plan you choose to take will depend on your current hormone levels as well as your age and stage in life. You might notice that your symptoms are more severe during pregnancy because the surge of estrogen helps to balance the chemicals in the brain. Your doctor might also suggest that you take part in a clinical study. These studies are designed to discover new methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.

Medication

Women suffering from ADHD face unique challenges when it comes to managing their symptoms. They have to manage an intricate interaction between gender expectations and executive functions problems. They must also deal with the sensitivity of rejection that can cause feelings of shame when they don't keep up with social expectations. This can make it difficult for them to establish and maintain relationships. They may develop coping strategies to cover up their issues and try to blend into the crowd, which may 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 receive an accurate diagnosis than boys and men. Moreover, their symptoms tend to be less severe and more active rather than attentive. This makes them less likely to cause concern. This can cause them to be underdiagnosed and delayed in treatment.

The use of medications can help to reduce the chemical imbalances that trigger the symptoms of ADHD for girls and women. The stimulant drugs are typically the first choice for these patients. However, they should be closely monitored as some people may have a serious reaction to these medications. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and they can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other treatments to alleviate symptoms.

They should inform their doctor about any past issues that they have had with ADHD. They can utilize this information to develop an treatment plan. They can 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. These specialists can offer counseling and psychotherapy along with strategies for managing lifestyle such as job accommodations, school accommodations.

Support

Women with ADHD have a variety of challenges, such as misdiagnosis or unrecognized signs. Rating scales for ADHD tend to be biased towards male behaviors, and women with the condition tend to experience more internalized symptoms like depression and anxiety (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also experience different symptoms with inattention symptoms showing up more often than hyperactive or impulse-related symptoms.

The first step is to talk to a primary health care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women are aware that having a diagnosis helps them recognize their struggles and manage them better.

A doctor will typically prescribe medications to help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Non-stimulant drugs are also available for certain people. Doctors may also recommend therapies, like cognitive behavior therapy, which can help people change negative thought patterns and behavior. They can also advise on ways to improve communication and relationships.

The support of family members is essential for managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people to recognize the challenges ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn how to deal with problems that may result from impulsive or inattention behavior, such as memory loss and difficulties in making decisions.

Many people suffering from ADHD struggle with seeking help or admitting they need assistance. A doctor can assist them in overcoming this obstacle by helping them explain how high functioning adhd in women affects their lives and by giving them strategies to help them perform better at work and school. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for small adjustments to help them achieve their goals in school or at work.