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Symptoms of ADHD in Women Adults While ADHD symptoms are more common in males and females but women can also be affected by the disorder too. Symptoms can vary at different times, as hormonal changes during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, as well as menopausal changes can exacerbate them. Finding a diagnosis and getting treatment is a crucial first step. The treatment of 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 of estrogen. Female hormones can change during the menstrual period as well as during pregnancy and perimenopausal. This can impact the effectiveness of ADHD medication. ADHD symptoms can be disguised or worsened by anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. People with these comorbid disorders often feel more shame about their symptoms and don't inform their doctors which makes it more difficult for them to get diagnosed and treated. Untreated ADHD can cause issues in many areas of a woman's life. It can be difficult to maintain a career or manage schoolwork. It can also cause financial issues, like forgetting appointments or bills and late payments. It can affect relationships and lead to feelings of low self-esteem. Women with ADHD also struggle with societal expectations of gender roles and are more likely to internalize symptoms, which can cause their distress and difficulty with relationships. The symptoms of ADHD tend to get worse as time passes. They may also become evident when a woman is stressed or going through a major life event. When a woman is divorced or becomes 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 help them learn how to manage time and organize their schedules and assist in improving their overall functioning. They could benefit from working with an ADHD coach or joining an ADHD support group. Diagnosis Due to gender stereotypes, females and girls might have a difficult time getting an accurate diagnosis due to a tendency to conceal ADHD symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD in girls and women tend to be more inattentive, whereas boys and men often have hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Because of this difference in the presentation of symptoms, girls and women are more likely to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed than males and females. Inattention ADHD symptoms include disorganization, forgetfulness or issues with time management at home and at work. This could result in delayed appointments, difficulties paying bills on time and having trouble 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 signs can cause issues in relationships at work, school and at home. For a long time, ADHD has been considered an illness that affects only males and boys. The early studies on ADHD focused on the behavior of hyperactive boys, which helped in the development of the diagnostic criteria and scales of rating that are still in use. This led to the assumption that ADHD was a problem only for boys. A lot of women and girls weren't diagnosed with ADHD because their behavior was not in line with the stereotypes. As girls and adolescent girls become adults, they may have issues navigating everyday life with untreated ADHD. Their struggles to manage their finances, maintain an orderly home and maintain their daily routines could lead to feelings of inadequateness. Women may also experience mood disorders like depression and anxiety, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment. Treatment There are many treatment options for adults with ADHD that include medications. Stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin®), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall®) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®) help improve focus and motivation, reduce impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and increase working memory and verbal memory. They also help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you which medications best suit your situation. Your doctor might also suggest therapy in addition to medication. Therapists who specialize in ADHD can assist you in learning to manage your symptoms and build confidence in yourself. They can teach you healthy strategies for coping and help your family to be aware of the condition. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy, which teaches to identify negative thoughts and replace with more realistic ones. Or they can offer psychoeducation for your family members that helps your loved one to understand ADHD and develop coping techniques. Women can experience ADHD symptoms that are different from men. For example women with inattentive type ADHD may struggle to stay organized at home and work or forget about 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 be ashamed or misunderstood because of their symptoms. The changes in hormone levels during menstrual cycle, menopausal cycle and pregnancy could affect your ADHD symptoms. The treatment plan you follow will be based on the current levels of hormones and your age and stage of life. You might find that your symptoms are better during pregnancy, as estrogen levels rise to neutralize the chemical imbalance in your brain. Your doctor may also recommend that you participate in a clinical study. These trials are designed to uncover new ways to detect, prevent or treat diseases. Medication Women suffering from ADHD have their own particular difficulties when it comes to managing their symptoms. They must contend with a complex interplay between gender expectations and executive function problems. They also have to contend with rejection sensitivity, which can cause feelings of shame when they can't keep up with social expectations. This dynamic contributes to their difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. They may develop coping strategies to hide their struggles, and may even try to blend into. This can mask their ADHD symptoms. In addition, they struggle to identify their own distressing emotions and often assume their behaviors are “normal.” Because of these reasons due to these factors, women and girls are less likely than males and boys to receive an accurate diagnose. In addition the symptoms of women tend to be less severe and attentive, rather than hyperactive. This makes them less likely to raise concerns. This can lead them to be misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment. The drugs help to control the chemical imbalances which trigger the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. Stimulant medications are typically the first option for these patients, but they should be monitored as some individuals may experience a serious reaction to these medications. There are also non-stimulant medications available, and these drugs are often combined with psychotherapy or other behavioral treatments to reduce symptoms. The individuals should inform their doctor about any prior issues with ADHD. They can utilize this information to formulate an treatment plan. They can also ask their health professionals to refer them to an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating ADHD in women and girls. please click the following article can offer counseling and psychotherapy as well as methods for managing your lifestyle including job accommodations, as well as school accommodations. Support Women who suffer from ADHD have a myriad of issues which include misdiagnosis, as well as undiagnosed symptoms. Rating scales for ADHD tend to favor male behaviors, and females with ADHD tend to suffer from more internalized signs like anxiety and depression (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Women also tend to experience different symptom presentations with inattention symptoms appearing more frequently than hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. The first step is to talk to a primary care provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a specialist in mental health. Many women find that a diagnosis helps them face their issues more efficiently and effectively manage them. Typically doctors will prescribe medication to regulate brain activity and control symptoms. Most stimulant medications are prescribed however, non-stimulants can be an option for a few people. Doctors may also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people overcome negative thinking patterns and behaviors. They can also give advice on how to improve communication and relationships. The support of family members is essential to managing the symptoms of ADHD. Marriage counseling and family therapy can help people to understand the challenges that ADHD presents in their lives. They can also learn to overcome issues that arise from impulsive or inattentive behavior, such as forgetfulness and 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 impacts their lives, and by providing them with strategies to help them perform better at school and work. They can also request coworkers and teachers for small accommodations to make it easier to achieve their goals in their job or classes.