Treatment for ADHD in Women and Girls

ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by the inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and other related symptoms that negatively affect the life functioning of individuals, including girls and women. Some females exhibit more hyperactive behavior as compared to impulsivity. Likewise, some show more symptoms of inattention than others. However, there are effective treatment options that help in treating the ADHD in women and girls. Therapy, medications, and positive lifestyle changes are the best ways to treat or prevent ADHD in women and girls. 

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the treatment for ADHD in women and girls. You will get a complete insight regarding all the top ways that help in removing ADHD from life.

Top ADHD Treatment options for Women & Girls

‘’Girls and women suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face complexities in multiple areas of their life. They have low confidence and self-esteem and do not pay attention in the classroom. In addition, they do not have social skills to communicate with others. They feel difficulty in maintaining a balance between their personal and professional life. Fortunately, the reliable and effective treatment that includes medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health counseling, and stress management techniques can help in treating or preventing the ADHD in women and girls.

Mental health professionals employ a diverse therapeutic approach to treat the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. To develop a therapeutic strategy, experts thoroughly consider multiple factors such as the severity of symptoms, the phase of life, etc. The most common treatment options for ADHD in girls and women are as follows:

1. Medications 

Medications do not permanently cure ADHD. They are just helpful to manage the symptoms of ADHD in girls and women. ADHD experts recommend the different types of psychiatric medications to manage the symptoms of ADHD. In some cases, some experts also recommend those medications that are off-label but can result in significant improvements in the ADHD symptoms. 

The main role of medications is to target the specific neurotransmitters in the brain, which the brain uses for communication. The following are the main medications that are usually prescribed by the experts:

1.1. Antidepressants 

Although no antidepressant is approved by the FDA, some antidepressants are effective for treating ADHD in women and girls, which include:

• Wellbutrin
• Imipramine
• Nortriptyline
• Effexor

1.2. Stimulants

Stimulants are the specialized drugs that are helpful to treat ADHD in women and girls. They specifically target the chemical messengers in the brain. 

Common examples of stimulants that are used for treating ADHD include:

• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Vyvanse

 1.3. Non-stimulants 

Other than stimulants, non-stimulants are also recommended by the experts to deal with ADHD in women and girls. The most common non-stimulants which are recommended by the experts comprise the following:

• Kapvay
• Viloxazine
• Atomoxetine

1.4. Medication management 

Medication intake and management is quite complicated in girls and women as compared to boys and men. Multiple internal and external factors affect the mental state of each affected female, which include:

• Hormonal fluctuations at the time of puberty
• Hormonal alterations throughout the menstrual cycle
• Hormonal changes at the time of menopause

Estrogen is the main hormone that controls the main reproductive functions in females. If the estrogen level gets decreased, then it also increases ADHD symptoms. However, professional experts not only recommend the medications but also employ the therapies that maintain the estrogen levels to manage the ADHD symptoms in girls and women. 

Professional medication management experts deeply consider all aspects of a woman’s life and then make recommendations to bring positive change in their life. 

2. Therapy for ADHD

Medications are not the sole solution for ADHD. Depending on the mental state or severity of the ADHD symptoms, experts also suggest psychotherapies. There are different types of psychotherapies which are used for the treatment of ADHD in girls and women. Therapies are not only effective for just treating ADHD, but they also work best to treat the other co-occurring mental conditions such as anxiety or depression. 

Following are the major psychotherapies which work best to treat the ADHD in women and girls:

2.1. Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the major and most common type of psychotherapy that is used to treat or prevent ADHD in individuals, including girls and women. Mental health professionals conduct the therapy sessions in which they guide the females with ADHD on how they can deal with ADHD. Experts first identify the triggers of negative thoughts and then help the affected females to transform them into positive ones. Both girls and women learn to accept or acknowledge their thoughts. With time, they learn to overcome the symptoms of ADHD.

2.2. Behavioral therapy

Behavioral therapy is one of the best approaches for behavioral management. Parents and caregivers can better handle the symptoms of ADHD in girls by applying multiple useful strategies. If you think that your girl is having ADHD, then the first thing that you should do is to identify the behavioral changes. If she shows her negative behavior, then guide her properly instead of criticizing her. Likewise, if she shows any positive behavior, then give her rewards to increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, you can also take the expert guidance to implement the behavioral management strategies. 

2.3. Family therapy

Family is the best initial support for women and girls suffering from ADHD. Family members can better listen and understand each other. By attending the family therapy sessions, family members can learn how they assist their loved ones battling with ADHD. 

3. Social skills training 

Girls and women with ADHD do not easily communicate with others in any social setting. Due to lack of social skills, they do not effectively behave in front of others and, most of the time, face criticism. But with the help of social skills training, they learn how to behave in social meetings by showing the positive behavior and avoiding the negative behavior that can also affect others.

4. Practice self-care:

4.1. Nutrition

Girls and women suffering from ADHD should focus on their diet and absolute nutrition. They should ensure the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. In addition, they should avoid processed and sugary food materials. Moreover, they can also schedule the meal times to avoid skipping their meals. By properly planning the mealtime, they can also better enjoy their meal. Furthermore, they should avoid the intake of alcohol, or any other drug, to protect their mind from the negative effects caused by the ADHD symptoms. 

4.2. Regular sleep patterns

Women and girls with ADHD can also protect their minds from ADHD by getting enough sleep. By sleeping early and waking up early in the morning can prevent the occurrence of ADHD. 

4.3. Physical activity

Do not overlook physical activity or exercise if you want to avoid the negative impact of ADHD on your life. By regularly performing the exercise or any physical activity, your mental health can be protected from each kind of mental illness, such as ADHD. 

4.4. Mindfulness techniques

Mindfulness techniques are also useful for managing the ADHD symptoms in girls and women. With the help of mindfulness activities, stress management, as well as relaxation techniques, females can overcome ADHD.

5. Support groups

Support groups are also considered the best way to deal with ADHD. There are multiple support groups that girls or women suffering from ADHD join and learn multiple effective ways or coping strategies to deal with ADHD. With the help of support groups, ADHD females get the chance to meet and talk with the group members who are facing the same mental illness. They not only share their experiences but also learn multiple skills or coping strategies from each other to overcome the ADHD symptoms.

6. Create accommodations

Other best ways to deal with ADHD include the use of a planner to perform daily life tasks. Likewise, breaking the complex tasks into simpler ones and then making a list based on the priority is also the best way to overcome the ADHD. 

 Seek the professional help

If you think that your symptoms of ADHD are getting worse and affecting your life functioning, then prepare your mind to seek professional help. Talk to the ADHD expert and share all your mental health concerns. ADHD professionals first diagnose the mental illness and then develop the treatment plans for ADHD.

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Understanding ADHD in Girls and Women

Challenges faced by females in receiving the appropriate treatment

Girls and women suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have to struggle more in getting the right treatment at the right time due to multiple factors, which are as follows:

1. Symptom presentation

Girls and women suffering from ADHD exhibit multiple differences in symptoms as compared to boys and men. They have high frequency and occurrence of the following symptoms:

• Inattention
• Difficulty in organizing things
• Daydreaming
• Difficulty in making decisions

2. Misdiagnosis of the ADHD symptoms 

ADHD in girls and women is often misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, etc, due to the overlapping of the symptoms. Moreover, ADHD symptoms in females are more internalized and majorly visible to the experts. 

3. Masking of symptoms 

Most of the females also hide their symptoms to prevent the criticism or judgement from others. Therefore, their symptoms are not diagnosed on time and they do not receive the required treatment.

4. Self-doubts 

Most of the females suffering from ADHD doubt more about themselves and think they are suffering from any other condition. They feel hesitation in seeking professional help from experts.

Professional ADHD treatment at Brainpower Wellness Institute

ADHD is a common mental illness that includes inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and some other symptoms. ADHD can affect all individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults. We never compromise on providing quality treatment to each individual with ADHD. Whether you are a male or female, you deserve mental well-being. The symptoms of ADHD in females become obvious at certain life phases such as pregnancy, menopause, puberty, or the time when they are going to start a new job. Fortunately, timely diagnosis and treatment can help the girls and women eliminate their ADHD symptoms from their life. 

If you are a girl who is dealing with ADHD or you know anyone you are concerned with then Brainpower can help. Brainpower Wellness Institute is a premier mental health platform that provides the best ADHD treatment for each suffering individual, including girls and women. We have a team of ADHD experts who are well-versed in ADHD treatment. They first perform the thorough evaluation and then develop and implement the therapeutic strategies that tailor the individual needs of each ADHD girl and woman.