Treatment For ADHD in Women
Women face different challenges in managing ADHD. This is largely because they typically face greater pressure to live up to society's expectations and standards. Women are also more adept at masking their symptoms.
If your symptoms do not significantly affect your daily routine you may have high-functioning ADHD. Treatment for adults with ADHD improves relationships, academic and work performance, and self-esteem.
Medicines
Stimulants increase the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine that aid in controlling attention and impulses. Children, teenagers and adults can be prescribed stimulants. All medications have adverse effects, and a lot of people need to try various options before finding one that works. Talk to your doctor about these medications and be sure to mention any issues you have encountered.
Nonstimulants may not be prescribed as often, but can be used in cases where stimulants have side effects or are not effective. Medications like Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine) increase levels of norepinephrine. It transmits messages between brain cells and may increase concentration and control of impulses. They belong to a class known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, which are antidepressants. These medications can also provide a calming effect that can reduce depression and hyperactivity in a few teenagers and children.
They are less likely to be misused and become addicts than stimulants, but they do carry some risks. They can affect growth in children and teenagers and can increase blood pressure as well as heart rate, and make sleeping difficult. They also can negatively impact moods and trigger suicidal ideas in some teens.
Sleep problems are common among those with ADHD and a lack of sleep can cause more problems. It's important to get on a regular sleep schedule and stick with it, even when you're tired. If you're having trouble getting to sleep or wake up feeling tired consult your physician.
Some people who take stimulants experience a "rebound effect" when the effects of the drug diminish at the end of the day. The symptoms return, and could be more severe than they were before, until the dosage is adjusted or a new medication is tried.
Psychotherapy can assist adults with ADHD find ways to manage their symptoms as well as manage stress and anger and improve their time management and organization skills, and continue to work towards goals. Therapy can take place in person or online through services like BetterHelp. Marriage and family therapy helps couples and families to tackle the issues ADHD creates within their relationships. For instance, conflicts over money and forgotten responsibilities.
Counseling
For women and girls with ADHD Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. These behavioral treatments are able to tackle the specific challenges faced by females with ADHD and other issues, such as difficulties with interpersonal relationships and family as well as co-existing depression or anxiety. They can also improve job satisfaction and performance.
It is crucial to choose a therapist who has experience treating ADHD in women who is aware of the disorder's impact on women. A therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in females can help you overcome stigma and create coping mechanisms to manage symptoms. In addition, a counselor can help you establish realistic goals and work toward them. Lastly, a therapist can teach you strategies for improving your social skills and navigating difficult situations.
Many people suffering from ADHD cannot recognize their symptoms. As a result, it is often difficult for them to find a treatment. Symptoms can include trouble paying attention or keeping track of time, difficulty in completing tasks, and issues with organization skills. Other symptoms include impulsivity, and inability to read social signals.
People with ADHD are often embarrassed by their struggles. They might attempt to hide their struggles using negative self-talk, or employ productivity tools to counteract their inability to manage time. This can cause lots of stress and frustration. Many adults with ADHD struggle to meet their professional and life expectations and are prone to burnout due constant miscommunication in the workplace and difficulty keeping deadlines. They might also have trouble maintaining relationships both at work as well as at home.
Girls and women with ADHD tend to be less hyperactive or impulsive than boys. Many women and girls with ADHD still face the same issues as boys, such as trouble at school and home, low self esteem and issues with peer relationships and co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. Women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD may engage in self-injury that isn't suicide-related. This could include things like burning or scratching.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to find relief. Talking therapies can provide practical solutions for the challenges of living with the condition, like improved communication and a positive attitude. They can also help you discover effective strategies to cope like setting routines and using apps to help with planning and scheduling.
Therapy
Although medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD Psychotherapy can also be beneficial. Therapists can help you learn how to improve your organization, time management and relationships, as well as help you cope with the negative effects of this disorder. They can also help you identify and address any mood-related issues that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. Therapists can also provide support and understanding to family members.
Women who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty coping with the effects of their issues in their professional and personal lives. This can cause problems with finances, work and school and can also affect relationships and marriages. Untreated ADHD can also cause depression, low self-esteem and anxiety.
While many people with ADHD experience the inattentive subtype of the disorder, others struggle with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. To be diagnosed with either of these, you must experience six or more symptoms lasting at minimum six months. Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms are more common in men and boys than in girls and women, although they are still quite prevalent in both groups.
In certain instances, those who suffer from ADHD develop a tendency to self-injure themselves. Self-injury may take the form of self-cutting or burning. This behavior is common in adolescents and children with ADHD. adhd in young women could also be linked to other disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia, and alcohol or drugs abuse. In fact NSSI is by far the most frequent form of self-harm in young girls who have ADHD.
Researchers believe that sex is a key factor in the manifestation of ADHD for women and girls. Researchers believe that hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle as well as menopausal changes, pregnancy and perimenopause can influence how the disorder manifests itself and responds to treatments. But, gender isn't biologically determined; it is a social construct that refers to the internal sense of self as a woman, a man, nonbinary or something else. Verywell Health acknowledges sex and gender as closely related but not the same. Sex is determined by a person’s chromosomes, and gender is their inner sense of being female, male, or another category.
Self-help
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to conceal their symptoms, which can make it difficult to identify or treat them. The signs include being late for meetings or work, failing to meet deadlines, easily distracted, not paying attention to other people when they speak, or forgetting important dates. These issues can affect relationships, work performance and school grades if they are not addressed.
Many adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD are often referred to as "high-functioning," which isn't technically a medical term. This means that their symptoms don't greatly impact their lives, but they might still have difficulty to perform at work or school and complete their daily tasks. Diagnoses can boost self-esteem and allow people to comprehend their struggles.
It's important to know you can also develop strategies to deal with your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. You can use a planner to track your obligations. You can also record notes during meetings and create reminders on your smartphone. Physical exercise is also beneficial to people suffering from ADHD because it helps alleviate tension and release neurotransmitters to improve focus.
For some, it's helpful to seek out therapy for their ADHD. Therapists can assist you in learning ways to manage your time and stay organized and can offer guidance and support. They can also help you identify mental distortions that can lead to negative emotions and the perception of limitations to your abilities.
While it may take some time to get a diagnosis, the outcomes of being treated are worth it. Medications, therapy and lifestyle changes can help you have more satisfying relationships, get ahead in your career, and live a more satisfying life.
Women who suffer from ADHD may feel angry and misunderstood by family, friends and colleagues because of their struggles. They may also find it difficult to live up to social expectations of how they should dress, act or look. This can cause a sense of low self-esteem, which can be exacerbated by symptoms of ADHD like mood fluctuations.