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While ADHD symptoms are more prevalent for men and boys but women can also be affected by the disorder as well. The symptoms can vary based on the time of year, due to hormonal fluctuations that happen during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or menopausal.
Getting diagnosed and receiving treatment is a crucial first step. Managing ADHD by taking 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 the brain's structure or levels similar to estrogen. Female hormones also change during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal which affects the effectiveness of ADHD medication works. The symptoms of ADHD are also covered by a variety of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Women who suffer from these disorders often feel embarrassed about their symptoms and don't report them to their doctor, making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in a variety of areas of a woman's life. It is often difficult to sustain a career or keep up with schoolwork. It can also lead to financial difficulties, such as not paying bills or forgetting appointments and bills. It can cause low self-esteem, which can affect relationships. Women with ADHD also struggle with societal expectations of gender roles and are more likely to internalize symptoms, which can lead to their distress and difficulty with relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD can get worse as time passes. They may also be more noticeable when women are stressed or experiencing an important life event. If a woman divorces or is pregnant, or has children, she could be more prone to experiencing symptoms at home or at work.
Women can manage their symptoms with the use of behavioral and therapy strategies. A therapist can assist them to improve their overall functioning by teaching them the art of time management and organizational skills. You might also find it beneficial to work with an ADHD coach, or attend an ADHD support group.
Diagnosis
Girls and women may struggle to determine the correct 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 go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed compared to males and females.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD can show up as forgetfulness, disorganization or problems managing time at work and home. This can result in missing appointments, having trouble paying bills on time, and difficulty keeping up with 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 issues can affect relationships, hinder school and work performance, and cause problems at home or in the course of a relationship.
For a long time, ADHD has been considered an illness that affects only males and girls. The early studies of ADHD mainly focused on the behavior of boys who were hyperactive. attention deficit disorder in women helped define diagnostic criteria and rating scales that are still in use. This led to the notion that ADHD was only a problem for male children. A lot of women and girls were not diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not consistent with the stereotypes.
As girls and adolescents become adults, they could continue to experience difficulties navigating daily life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, keep an orderly home and manage their daily routines may also result in feelings of being inadequate. Women can also suffer from mood issues like depression and anxiety that can make it harder to seek treatment.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available for people 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 and verbal memory. They can also reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Your doctor will inform you about which medications are best for your needs.
Your doctor may 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 self-esteem. They can also help you learn healthy strategies for coping and help your family understand the condition. They can also provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches you to recognize negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer psychoeducation for the family, which can help your loved one to comprehend ADHD and develop coping techniques.
Women may have different ADHD symptoms in comparison to men. Women with inattentive ADHD may find it difficult to stay on top of things at home and at work or forget appointments or 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 menopausal changes can affect how ADHD symptoms manifest. The treatment plan you choose to take will be based on the current levels of hormones and your age and stage of life. You may notice that your symptoms improve during pregnancy, as estrogen levels increase to balance out the chemicals in your brain. Your doctor may also recommend that you take part in a research study. These studies are designed to discover new methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Medication
Women who suffer from ADHD have unique problems in managing their symptoms. They have to deal with a complex interaction between gender expectations and executive function problems. They must also deal with sensitivity to rejection that can cause them to feel embarrassed when they don't live up to social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to conceal their struggles and may even try to fit in. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. They may also be unable to acknowledge their own anxiety and often believe that their behavior is "normal."
Due to these reasons this makes it harder for girls and women to receive an accurate diagnosis than males and females. In addition their symptoms tend to be less severe and more active rather than attentive. This means they are less likely to raise concerns. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The use of medications can help to manage 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 patients may experience a severe response to these medications. Non-stimulant drugs are also available, and they are often combined with psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments to alleviate symptoms.
These individuals should tell their doctor about any past issues that they have had with ADHD. They can use this information to create 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 for girls and women. These specialists may offer psychotherapy and counseling methods for managing lifestyles, job and school accommodations and other therapies that help them better manage their ADHD symptoms.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD have a myriad of issues that can lead to misdiagnosis and a lack of recognition of symptoms. The rating scales for ADHD tend to be skewed towards male behaviors. Women with ADHD also tend to develop internalized symptoms like depression and anxiety. Women are more likely to exhibit different symptoms, with inattention symptom manifestation being more prevalent than hyperactive or impulse symptoms.
The first step is to speak to a primary care physician. They will assess your symptoms and refer you to an expert in mental health. Many women find that having a diagnosis helps them accept their difficulties more efficiently and effectively manage them.
A doctor will typically prescribe medication to help regulate brain activity and manage symptoms. Most stimulant medications are prescribed, but non-stimulants are an option for a few people. Doctors can also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists people overcome negative thinking patterns and behavior. They can also give suggestions on how to improve relationships and communication.
To manage the symptoms of ADHD requires support from loved ones. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people comprehend the challenges ADHD can bring to their lives. They can also learn to overcome issues that result from impulsive or inattention behavior, like forgetfulness and difficulty making decisions.
Many people suffering from ADHD are unable to getting help or admitting they need assistance. A doctor can help overcome this obstacle by explaining how ADHD affects them and guiding them through coping strategies to help them perform better in school and at work. They could also ask their colleagues or teachers for minor adjustments that will allow them to succeed in class or at work.