ADHD in Women: Signs, Causes, and Treatments
Are you a female, and do you feel highly energetic? If yes, then you might have ADHD. This mental health condition is common in both genders. However, women with ADHD are more often seen to live undiagnosed. This happens due to the traditional belief that males are affected mainly by ADHD while women with ADHD remain overlooked.
This article provides an absolute guide to understanding the connection between women and ADHD, what are the major causes, and what can be the best treatment options to treat ADHD in women.
What is ADHD in women?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that severely affects your normal brain functioning. Affected individuals tend to be restless and have difficulty focusing on the tasks. ADHD is most common in childhood, but the majority of females get diagnosed at an early age.
How common is ADHD in women?
Numerous recent studies show that the male-to-female ratio suffering from ADHD is 2:1 during early age. However, other studies show a different ratio of 17:1. This ratio elevates in adulthood since women receive this diagnosis more often.
What are the symptoms of ADHD in Women?
As per recent scientific evidence, symptoms of ADHD usually begin to appear in childhood, but for many women, it stays unrecognized until adolescence or adulthood. ADHD women show reduced signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity, or disruption, as males with ADHD show. In this way, the signs of ADHD in women can often be missed or misdiagnosed, but this does not mean women do not show them.
Inattentiveness:
Signs of Inattentiveness due to ADHD in women can disrupt their relationships with others and their performance at work. To have the inattention subtype of ADHD in women diagnosed, you must meet at least six of the following criteria for at least six months:
- You make mistakes due to a lack of focus/inattention.
- You can’t concentrate on your work.
- You zone out more often.
- You start your projects quickly but experience issues while completing them.
- You need help in setting priorities.
- You often forget things and quickly lose them.
- You get easily distracted.
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
Hyperactive/impulsive-type signs of ADHD in women can negatively impact their relationships, work, and schoolwork habits. Women show a lower rate of hyperactivity signs, but the prevalence is still possible. If you have at least six of the following signs of hyperactivity/impulsivity of ADHD, then there is a possibility you might have ADHD.
- You are restless often.
- You have a constant urge to stand up and walk around.
- You show twitching behavior.
- You can’t stay quiet and are most often caught talking to yourself.
- You are bizarrely active, which makes it hard for people to be around you.
- You show behaviors of information dumping (excessive talking)
- You lack patience.
- You don’t usually understand the meaning of social boundaries.
How is ADHD diagnosed in Women?
A trained healthcare provider, most preferably a psychologist or a psychiatrist, can assess and diagnose ADHD in women. This process includes details about your current signs, any past medical history, and parental history.
Parents and teachers also fill out specific questionnaires that help diagnose ADHD in women.
Learn More: ADHD and Depression: Exploring the Connection
How is ADHD in women treated?
Most women suffering from ADHD must get an accurate diagnosis and the right kind of treatment to get rid of ADHD signs. ADHD treatment methods are the same for both genders, and the treatment of choice usually includes medications and psychotherapy.
Medications:
Like any other condition, the most appropriate treatment to treat ADHD signs is the prescription of medicine, regardless of the gender of the patient. These medicines relieve the symptoms associated with ADHD in several ways by working in different ways.
Stimulant medications are more often used and are more effective. The common stimulants include:
- Non-amphetamines, such as Concerta (methylphenidate) and Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
- Amphetamines, such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine) or Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
Non-stimulant medications:
These are usually prescribed when stimulants do not provide relief from the symptoms. Additionally, these are used as an alternative to stimulant medications.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)
- Kapvay (clonidine HCL)
- Tenex (guanfacine)
Psychotherapy
Besides medication, ADHD-focused therapies are also implemented to overcome signs of low self-esteem, interpersonal relations, stress, and life management.
Based on the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adult women, experts employ the following psychotherapies:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
This type of psychotherapy deals with negative thoughts, emotions, and particularly associated behaviors. It can help in increasing impulse control and self-regulation. For the last few years, CBT programs for adults with ADHD have become common in practice.
Neurocognitive psychotherapy:
This particular type of psychotherapy focuses on providing you with proven therapeutic procedures for maintaining attention and concentration for lengthy periods.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT):
Aims to increase mindfulness, self-acceptance, and self-esteem through one-on-one and group sessions that help with emotional regulation.
Concluding Remarks!
ADHD is a severe mental health illness comprising two significant signs: impulsivity and inattention. ADHD in women is mostly undiagnosed because of stereotypical perceptions of the disorder that it generally develops in males. However, female ADHD symptoms are different as compared to males. Women are less hyperactive but inattentive for a long time. ADHD in women can negatively impact your relationships, work outcome, and overall quality of life. Mental health treatments available for ADHD in women comprise psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. Therefore, if you are experiencing signs of ADHD, then don’t worry, as Solid Foundation Psychiatry is the top mental health platform to overcome signs of ADHD in adult women. We have a team of highly trained mental health professionals with ample knowledge about treating symptoms of ADHD in women. So, what are you waiting for? Connect with our mental health platform today and experience relief from signs of ADHD in women.
