ADHD in adult women is emerging as a focus of increased research, and women are being assessed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder more commonly than in the past. This blog series addresses ADHD in adult women. In this seventh and last post in the series, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is examined in women; specifically, issues related to the outlook, prognosis, and self-management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in women.
What Can I Expect if I Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD isn’t a dangerous condition, but it can affect many parts of your life, including performance at school and work, relationships and more.
As discussed in blog post #5 in this series, women with ADHD have higher risks of other interpersonal, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Some of these are:
- Being a target of in-person bullying and cyberbullying.
- Emotional control issues, especially rejection sensitive dysphoria.
- Learning difficulties, such as dyslexia (Reading Disorder) and dyscalculia (Mathematics Disorder).
- Physical symptoms related to mental health, such as headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
- Related mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
- Self-injury behaviors, like cutting, nail-biting, and skin-picking.
- Difficulty forming and maintaining friendships and relationships
How Long Does ADHD Last?
ADHD is considered a lifelong condition. People who “outgrow” diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder usually still have some symptoms, but the symptoms may eventually be less severe and not meet the criteria for diagnosis. Women are less likely than men to outgrow ADHD. Research findings suggest that about 60% of women have ADHD that continues into adulthood, compared with about 30% of men.
What’s the Outlook for those with ADHD?
With appropriate diagnosis, treatment and practice, it’s also possible to harness many of the symptoms of ADHD and use them to your advantage. The links between ADHD and creativity, problem-solving and stronger memory abilities are well-recognized by experts and researchers. Many major corporations specifically seek to hire neurodiverse individuals, including those with ADHD, because ADHD results in advantages for certain types of careers. Each person’s ADHD is as unique as they are, and that applies to their gifts as well as their challenges.
Caring for ADHD
If you suspect you have ADHD, a good place to begin asking for help is your primary care provider. They can refer you to a specialist with training and experience in diagnosing and treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (typically a psychologist or psychiatrist). If a specialist diagnoses you with ADHD, they can also give you guidance and recommendations about treatment options and accommodations.
Some of the best things a person with ADHD can do include:
- Take medications as recommended. Medications for ADHD should be taken exactly as prescribed, which may include days off or medication “holidays” when the medication is not needed. Doing this helps prevent unpleasant or unwanted side effects from various types of medications. When unwanted side effects occur, discuss them with your prescribing physician.
- See your provider(s) on the recommended schedule. Depending on the laws where you live, a healthcare provider may only be able to prescribe certain medications to you if you see them on a regular basis. You should also regularly see your provider(s) for therapy sessions or other visits as recommended.
- Find what works for you. In addition to finding treatment strategies that work for you, there are also ways you can adapt your life to manage your ADHD. Developing routines and habits and using technology — such as ADHD-assisting smartphone apps, reminder systems, calendars, and timers, can be very helpful.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations. Accommodations address policy changes or adjustments to your work/study environment that help people better manage their Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms. Laws (depending on where you live) may require employers or educational institutions to provide certain accommodations. Your healthcare provider can help you learn more about accommodations that might help you, or direct you to resources that can assist you.
It’s important to remember that there’s no perfect way to manage ADHD. Some people may benefit from medication, therapy or a combination of the two. What works for one person may or may not work for you. The timeline for you to see results can also vary. It’s important to experiment with strategies and services, find what works for you over time, and implement what you learn as best as you can.
If you would like to learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you may want to explore additional posts on my Neuronews Blog. If you are interested in assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and are age 16 or older, you can learn more on my page about, Neuropsychological Assessment. Please feel free to contact me from that page or by email at amy@amyblackmonphd.com.