ADHD in Adult Women

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in adult women that interferes with daily functioning and can cause problems at work, school, and in your relationships. Specifically in women and adolescent girls, the symptoms of ADHD commonly involve more inattentiveness than the “classic” ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity often displayed by men and boys. Women with ADHD also tend to report more symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Research shows that females living with ADHD are more likely to experience a mood disorder such as anxiety than males. Often, healthcare professionals can diagnose women with anxiety but miss their ADHD.

Adult Female ADHD Symptoms

In reality, most women with ADHD get an accurate diagnosis in their late 30s or early 40s. Experts say there could be several reasons behind the late diagnosis.

In effect, it could be that parents, teachers, or pediatricians miss ADHD symptoms and behaviors in young girls because they aren’t obvious. It’s also possible that doctors diagnose girls and young women with other mood disorders like anxiety or depression rather than ADHD. Although, some new research also suggests that women may develop ADHD symptoms later in life. But scientists say they need more research to prove it.

Symptoms and signs of ADHD in adult women can include:

Firstly, difficulty with time management
Disorganization
Feeling overwhelmed
History of anxiety and depression
Lastly, difficulty with money management

ADHD can run in families. Therefore, if you have undiagnosed ADHD, you’re more likely to notice your own symptoms if your child or sibling gets a diagnosis. It’s also not uncommon for women with ADHD to have other problems at the same time such as compulsive overeating, chronic lack of sleep, or drinking too much alcohol.

Treatments for ADHD in Adult Women

Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training and psychological counseling. Thus, a combination of these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t cure it.

 Medications

Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of any medications.

In essence, stimulants, such as products that include methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Focalin, Focalin XR, and Metadate) or amphetamine, (Adderall and Vyvanse) are typically the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Other medications may be prescribed. Though, stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Other medications used to treat ADHD include the nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do. Therefore, these may be good options if you can’t take stimulants because of health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.

The right medication and the right dose vary among individuals, so it may take time to find out what’s right for you. Tell your doctor about any side effects.

 Psychological counseling

Counseling for ADHD in adult women generally includes psychological counseling (psychotherapy), education about the disorder and learning skills to help you be successful.

Psychotherapy may help you:

Firstly, improve your time management and organizational skills
Learn how to reduce your impulsive behavior
Develop better problem-solving skills
In addition, cope with past academic, work or social failures
Improve your self-esteem
Learn ways to improve relationships with your family, co-workers and friends
Develop strategies for controlling your temper
Lastly, common types of psychotherapy for ADHD include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy. This structured type of counseling teaches specific skills to manage your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. In general, it can help you deal with life challenges, such as school, work or relationship problems, and help address other mental health conditions, such as depression or substance misuse.

Marital counseling and family therapy. In like manner, this type of therapy can help loved ones cope with the stress of living with someone who has ADHD. Also, they can learn what they can do to help. Such counseling can improve communication and problem-solving skills.

ADHD in Women Checklist

Firstly, do you feel overwhelmed in stores, at the office, or at parties? Is it impossible for you to shut out sounds and distractions that don’t bother others?
Is time, money, paper, or “stuff” dominating your life and hampering your ability to achieve your goals?
Do you often shut down in the middle of the day, feeling assaulted? Do requests for “one more thing” put you over the top emotionally?
Fourthly, are you spending most of your time coping, looking for things, catching up, or covering up? Do you avoid people because of this?
Have you stopped having people over to your house because you’re ashamed of the mess?
Do you have trouble balancing your checkbook?
Additionally, do you often feel as if life is out of control, and that it’s impossible to meet demands?
Do you feel like you’re always at one end of a deregulated activity spectrum — either a couch potato or a tornado?
Do you feel that you have better ideas than other people but are unable to organize them or act on them?
Do you start each day determined to get organized, and end each day feeling defeated?
Have you watched others of equal intelligence and education pass you by?
In addition, do you despair of ever fulfilling your potential and meeting your goals?
Have you ever been thought of as selfish because you don’t write thank-you notes or send birthday cards?
Are you clueless as to how others manage to lead consistent, regular lives?
Are you called “a slob” or “spacey?” Are you “passing for normal?” Do you feel as if you are an impostor?
Finally, is all your time and energy taken up with coping, staying organized, and holding it together, with no time for fun or relaxation?

ADHD can run in families. In particular, if you have undiagnosed ADHD, you’re more likely to notice your own symptoms if your child or sibling gets a diagnosis. It’s also not uncommon for women with ADHD to have other problems at the same time such as compulsive overeating, chronic lack of sleep, or drinking too much alcohol.

Untreated ADHD in Female Adults

Because fewer girls receive an ADHD diagnosis and treatment, many enter adulthood still coping with symptoms. “You don’t just develop ADHD as an adult,” says Dr. MacLean, a psychiatrist at Henry Ford Health. “But many women are realizing and recognizing it later in life.”

The signs of ADHD in adult women are similar to those in younger girls. But years of living with untreated ADHD often leads to new symptoms and challenges. “Undiagnosed ADHD can have a negative impact on self-esteem and mental health,” says Dr. MacLean. “That puts girls and women at higher risk for depression, anxiety and eating disorders.”

Women who’ve been living with undiagnosed ADHD typically develop coping mechanisms over the years that can further mask symptoms. “Women are good at hiding their struggle,” says Dr. MacLean. “And they use strategies—like working late into the night to keep up—to compensate.” But the struggle still takes a toll on their self-esteem and their success in various aspects of life.

“Women with untreated ADHD can have difficulty maintaining friendships and romantic relationships, trouble finding a career path and succeeding at work and typically blame themselves for these perceived ‘failures,’” says Dr. MacLean. “Getting a diagnosis can help give them back some self-esteem.”

Conclusion

With treatment and practice, it’s also possible to harness the effects of this condition and turn them into advantages. The links between adult female ADHD and creativity, problem-solving and stronger memory abilities are well-recognized by experts and researchers. In short, many major corporations specifically seek to hire neuro diverse individuals, including those with ADHD, because the effects of the conditions are advantages for certain types of careers.

Each person’s ADHD is as unique as they are. In truth, many people live with ADHD without a diagnosis or treatment for most of their lives. While it’s possible to adapt to it — and even to harness it and turn many of its symptoms into strengths — this condition often makes life more difficult for people who have it.