Treatment For ADHD in Women
Women have different challenges when it comes to tackling ADHD. This is due to the fact that women are more often under pressure to conform to societal expectations and standards. Women are also more adept in masked symptoms.
If your symptoms do not significantly affect your daily life, you have high-functioning ADHD. Treatment for adult ADHD can improve your relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem.
Medicines
The stimulants boost the brain chemical dopamine and norepinephrine, which help control attention and impulses. They may be prescribed to teenagers, children and adults. Many people have to try various medications before they find one that works for them. All drugs come with side negative effects. Talk to your doctor about them and make sure to mention any side effects you have encountered.
Nonstimulants aren't prescribed as often for ADHD, but they can be used if stimulants cause side effects or aren't effective. Medications like Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine) increase levels of norepinephrine, which passes messages between brain cells. They can increase concentration and control of impulses. They are in a class of antidepressants called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. These medications also have a calming affect that reduces hyperactivity in teens and children.
They are less likely to be misused and become addicted than stimulants, but they do carry some risks. They can hinder growth in adolescents and children, as well as raise blood pressure and heart rate, and make it more difficult to fall asleep. They can also negatively impact teens' moods and cause them to experience suicidal thoughts.
Sleep problems are common among those with ADHD and a lack of sleep can worsen the symptoms. Even when you're exhausted it is important to adhere to a regular schedule of sleep. If you're having difficulty getting to sleep or wake up groggy consult your physician.
Some people who use stimulants may experience a "rebound" effect when the drug is fading away towards the end of the day. The symptoms can recur and get more severe for a while until the dosage is adjusted, or a different prescription is tested.
Psychotherapy can assist adults with ADHD deal with the symptoms. It can also assist them in managing anger and stress. It can also help improve the ability to manage time, organization abilities, and perseverance. Therapy can be in person or via an online service like BetterHelp. Family and marriage therapy assists couples and families to deal with the issues ADHD creates in their relationships. For example, conflict over money or responsibilities that are not being fulfilled.
Counseling
Treatment for girls and women with ADHD typically involves a mix between medication and psychotherapy. These treatments for behavioral issues can address the unique problems faced by females with ADHD, including difficulties with family and interpersonal relationships and co-occurring depression or anxiety. They can also enhance job performance and satisfaction.
It is essential to choose a therapist who has experience treating ADHD for women who understands the effects of the disorder on women. A therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD in women can help you overcome the stigma associated with the condition and create coping strategies to manage symptoms in everyday life. Therapists can also help you create realistic and achievable goals. A therapist can also show you how to improve your social skills and navigate difficult situations.
Many people with ADHD aren't able to identify their symptoms. This is why it can be difficult for them to find the right treatment. Home can include trouble paying attention or keeping track of time, difficulty following through on tasks, and trouble with organizing skills. Other symptoms include impulsivity, and inability to discern social signals.
People suffering from ADHD are often frustrated by their difficulties. They might attempt to hide their struggles using negative self-talk, or employ productivity tools to compensate for their inability to manage time. This can cause a lot of stress and frustration. Many people with ADHD have trouble achieving their career and personal goals and are at risk of burnout due to miscommunications and problems at work. They may also experience tensions with their families and work.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD tend to be less hyperactive or impulsive than boys. Many women and girls with ADHD have the same issues as boys, such as trouble at home and school, low self esteem as well as issues with relationships with peers and coexisting disorders like depression and anxiety. Women and girls who suffer from untreated ADHD may be prone to self-injury that isn't suicide-related. This may include actions like burning or scratching.
The first step towards finding relief is to be diagnosed with ADHD. Talking therapies provide practical solutions to deal with the challenges of living with the condition. For example, they can improve communication and help you develop an optimistic attitude. They can also assist you to learn effective coping strategies like creating routines and using apps to aid in planning and scheduling.
Therapy
Psychotherapy can be beneficial for ADHD even when medication is the most effective form of treatment. Therapists can teach you skills to improve your time management, organization and relationships, and also help you manage the negative effects of this condition. They can also help you identify and address any mood-related issues that could contribute to your ADHD symptoms. Additionally therapy can provide support and understanding to your family members.
Women suffering from ADHD often struggle with the consequences of their symptoms in their personal and professional lives. This can cause problems with school, finances, and work, not to mention relationships and marriages. Untreated ADHD can also cause low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
While many people with ADHD experience the inattentive subtype of the disorder, others struggle with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. You must experience more than six symptoms for at minimum six consecutive months in order to be diagnosed. 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 with ADHD develop a tendency to self-injure. Self-injury can take the form self-cutting or burning. This type of behavior is common for adolescents and children suffering from ADHD, and it can be linked to other disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia and alcohol or substance abuse. In fact NSSI is by far the most prevalent type of self-harm among young girls with ADHD.
Some researchers believe that sexuality plays an an important role in how ADHD manifests in girls and women. It is believed that hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopausal changes can impact the way that the disorder manifests and responds to treatment. But, gender isn't biologically determined; it is a social construct that relates to the internal perception of self as a woman, man, nonbinary or something else. Verywell Health acknowledges sex and gender as closely linked, but not the same. Sex is determined by the person's chromosomes and gender is their internal sense of being male, female or in another category.
Self-help
In general, women who suffer from ADHD may be better in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to obtain diagnosis or treatment. The signs can include being late for work or meetings, missing deadlines, being easily distracted, not paying attention to people when they are talking to them, not paying attention to what other people are saying or not remembering important dates. If these issues aren't addressed they could have a negative impact on relationships and school or work performance.
Many people who aren't diagnosed with ADHD are referred to as having "high-functioning" which isn't a medical term. This means that their symptoms don't significantly impact their lives, but they might still have difficulty to be successful at school or work and manage daily tasks. Being diagnosed can improve self-esteem and help people to understand why they have trouble with certain aspects of their lives.
It's important to understand that you can also learn strategies to deal with your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. You can use a planner to track your responsibilities. You can also record notes during meetings and set reminders on your smartphone. Physical exercise is also beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it helps alleviate stress and release neurotransmitters that enhance focus.
Counseling can be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD. Therapists can help you learn strategies for managing time and organizing as well as offer assistance and direction. They can also help you identify thinking distortions that cause negative moods and perceptions of limitations to your abilities.
It may take a while to get a diagnosis but the results can be worth the wait. Medications, therapy and lifestyle modifications can help you to have more satisfying relationships, get ahead in your career and live a more satisfying life.
Women with ADHD might feel angry or misunderstood due to their struggles. In addition, they might struggle to meet societal expectations regarding how they should behave or dress. This can cause feeling low self-esteem, which can be exacerbated by symptoms of ADHD such as mood swings.