ADHD in Women Adults
Women who suffer from ADHD have a variety of issues. They may struggle with managing everyday tasks, deal with relationships issues and meet social expectations. They might also have difficulty staying focused at work or avoiding appointments.
A recent study looked at the experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD as adults. The study found that, although the diagnosis brought relief and made sense of past struggles, it was also bittersweet.
Making a diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult might feel like the most important step in understanding and addressing your symptoms. It can help you to put a name on your problems and understand that they're something you can treat, not something that makes you "weird."
Women are more adept at concealing their symptoms, so it can be difficult for them to recognize themselves with ADHD. They may be used to disguising inattentiveness by working late or using tools such as planners and smartphones to keep track of daily tasks. They may also be able hide their impulsivity when they act quickly to speed up an assignment or make remarks in conversations without thinking.
It is important to talk to a mental health professional who has worked with adults for diagnosis. It's also helpful to have a strong friends and family members to assist you in navigating the process. A mental health professional or health care provider might utilize standardized scales for behavior or ADHD symptoms checklists to evaluate adult symptoms and determine if they satisfy the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. A physical exam and medical history are also commonly part of a diagnostic evaluation for adults. Psychological tests are conducted to look at working memory and executive functioning (abilities such as planning and decision-making), visual and spatial (related to spatial (related to) and reasoning abilities.
Untreated ADHD can create a myriad of issues for women. Some of these are career-related problems, such as difficulty maintaining a job, adhering to corporate policies, or completing deadlines, and can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Additionally, women who have ADHD can be more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety.
Many adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD regret the years of struggle without knowing the reason. They might have struggled with their relationships, at work, or in financial pressure. Matlen says that people are often forced to accept their past and do some grieving after receiving the diagnosis. She says, however, that once a diagnosis has been given, people can move forward with reassurance and hope for the future.
Treatment Options
Women are able to be diagnosed with ADHD and treated. They can also receive the assistance they require to manage their symptoms in school, at work and at home.
It is important to recognize the signs. These could include the inability to manage and organize time and tasks, inability to remember, difficulty following rules or procedures, trouble getting to be a good friend with classmates, colleagues, or teachers, and an impulsive behavior. These issues can have serious consequences for work and school performance as well as relationships and self-esteem.
Experts have stated that women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD because they are able to mask their symptoms better than men or boys. They are also less likely to be diagnosed with the hyperactive/impulsive or mixed subtypes of the disorder. The symptoms of these subtypes are more easy to notice in boys and men and are therefore more likely to be noticed that leads to being diagnosed.
Counseling or therapy can help people with ADHD manage their disorder as well as behavioral strategies. These treatments can help with various symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Certain kinds of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help you understand how to alter negative thinking patterns that cause problems in your daily life.
Other treatments like yoga, mediation and regular exercise can improve your brain function by helping you relax and concentrate on your thoughts. They can also increase your energy levels and help control mood disorders. Getting enough sleep and eating healthy food can improve your symptoms.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from asking co-workers or teachers to make accommodations. They may ask for more detailed explanations or extra time to complete their assignments.
Medications can also be helpful in treating ADHD. Stimulant medication is typically the first option for treatment, but nonstimulant drugs can also be used.
Some adults suffering from ADHD can manage their symptoms through lifestyle changes, adequate rest and technology such as ADHD-assisting smartphone applications. They should also visit regularly an expert in health care and adhere to any medication regimen that is prescribed. They may also be eligible to participate in a study called a clinical trial. This is a type of research study which explores new ways to treat or prevent diseases.
Support Groups
Women are often lonely when they are struggling to manage the complexities of their ADHD. Support groups can help. Some organizations provide forums where individuals can meet online and discuss their experiences. Although some of these groups are not supervised by an expert in mental health, they can provide an environment where people can share their frustrations and brainstorm solutions with others. I Am Psychiatry of these groups offer resources and tips for managing ADHD.
According to one study, females who exhibit symptoms that manifest as inattentive behavior are less likely to be identified and referred for evaluation as males with similar symptoms. They are also more likely to be undiagnosed and also suffer from impairment. Many women also learn to hide their symptoms employing strategies like phone reminders and daily routines to satisfy social expectations. These strategies can also backfire, creating more stress and anxiety.
It is important for women to locate a doctor who understands the way gender and ADHD interact. Additionally, a skilled counselor can help women identify the ways they could be hiding their symptoms and internalizing their struggles. This way, they are able to identify areas of strength and self-efficacy.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be beneficial to the way women perceive themselves. Many of the women who were interviewed in the study stated they felt relieved after receiving the diagnosis. They were able to accept their own struggles and feel more confident in their capabilities. Knowing that they weren't alone helped them let go of their past mistakes and make positive changes in their lives.
A diagnosis of ADHD can change the course of the life of a person. The symptoms can impact their careers, relationships and day-to-day activities. They might underestimate the time it will take to finish a task or forget to make appointments. They may have difficulty focusing at work or at school and may have difficulty managing their finances. Some women have a hard time maintaining a relationship or marriage and others are suffering from low self-esteem.
Medication
Women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty navigating the daily life. They may have difficulty managing their finances, keeping their home organized or maintaining healthy romantic relationships. The symptoms can also affect the academic and work performance. The longer ADHD is left untreated and untreated, the more it will affect a woman's self-esteem as well as her confidence to be successful in her personal and professional lives.
Many women suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed because their symptoms are less hyperactive or impulsive and more inattentive. This is due to outdated diagnostic criteria, assumptions and the lack of awareness that female ADHD symptoms can be different from those of men and boys. It is important to keep in mind that some people have co-occurring illnesses like anxiety, depression or physical ailments such as sleep disorders, tics and fibromyalgia. These conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those seen in ADHD.
Being diagnosed and treated for ADHD in adulthood is a empowering experience that can drastically improve the quality of a woman's life. It can also help her restore her self-esteem because she will realize that the issues she is facing are not her fault.
Adults with ADHD typically are treated with stimulant medication first. Certain adults may not be able to handle stimulants. If you are unable to tolerate stimulants, there are alternative medications such as antidepressants or atomoxetine. It is important to inform your doctor about any supplements or other medications you are taking since they can interfere with certain drugs.
A healthcare professional or therapist can teach behavioral strategies to increase productivity and organization and help you manage symptoms. They can also help you to address any emotional issues that might be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. Some people who suffer from ADHD find benefit from working with a career coach or life coach, because they can help them develop skills to manage their daily tasks and setting and achieving goals.
Although it is true that women and adolescent girls are more underdiagnosed than their male counterparts, there are now more efforts to comprehend and address the differences between diagnosis and treatment. This includes ensuring that all children are screened for ADHD and that women and girls with ADHD receive accurate diagnoses.