As a parent of a daughter with ADHD, you are aware of the unique difficulties your child may face during puberty, menstruation, and PMS. ADHD symptoms are greatly influenced by the menstrual cycle, however taking ADHD medication also increases the likelihood that she may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). You can assist her in controlling her emotions and getting ready for her period, though. We explain in this article why “that time of the month” can be a rollercoaster for her emotionally and what you can do as her parent to give her the extra support, love, and understanding she needs.
Describe ADHD.
The mental health illness known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is characterized by issues with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention that significantly interfere with day-to-day functioning. One of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children, ADHD affects how the brain functions and begins during the embryonic stage. About 5% of school-age children are affected by it.
What Indices and Markers Indicate ADHD?
Compared to ordinary children, children with ADHD have greater difficulty focusing and maintaining attention. They can have trouble staying motionless and behave erratically. This may make it harder for the kids to get along with one another and to learn in some school environments. Adult-onset ADHD can negatively impact relationships, productivity at work, and general quality of life. The hyperactivity that was present in infancy can manifest as restlessness in adults.2. ADHD symptoms might also be exacerbated by the normal stresses of adulthood. Depending on the kind of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children and teenagers with ADHD may show any of the following symptoms:
Recurring forgetting
Daydreaming and not seeming to be paying attention
Difficulty focusing
Incoherence
Avoiding jobs that need for concentration
Anxiety related to restlessness, agitation, and wriggling
Talking too much
Risky actions
Being careless or not paying attention to details
a history of errors
Having difficulties getting along with other children
Having trouble taking shifts
ADD Fatigue: Comprehending the Relationship
Adults with ADHD may exhibit inattentive, impulsive/hyperactive, or a combination of the two symptoms. Adult ADHD symptoms might manifest differently, with reduced hyperactivity being typical. ADHD diagnoses are also possible for adults. About two thirds of kids with ADHD still have symptoms when they’re adults.
Estrogen’s effect on ADHD symptoms
In an interview with CHADD1, Dr. Patricia Quinn, the author of Understanding Women with AD/HD, notes that variations in estrogen levels between adolescence and the menstrual cycle might exacerbate symptoms of PMS and ADHD. This may be caused by hormone sensitivity, according to the ADHD support website. People with ADHD typically have lower dopamine levels, and hormonal changes may increase the likelihood that dopamine will drop to dangerously low levels, exacerbating symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and lack of drive. As a result, some women discover that their drugs are less effective and that their symptoms may flare again. Given that females with ADHD are more likely to have mostly inattentive ADHD, you might see that your daughter struggles more to focus, organize herself and stay on task, manage her emotions, and loses or forgets things.
PMDD & PMS
PMS typically affects 48% of women and is characterized by both physical and mental distress. Additionally, a subset of women (between 3 and 8%) suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe type of PMS characterized by significant mood and behavioral symptoms. Women with autism (est. 90%) and ADHD (est. nearly 50%) are disproportionately affected by PMDD. Women often experience mood swings, anxiety, and depression one week prior to their menstruation.
ADHD medication’s impact on PMS symptoms
Periods may also be impacted by medication of ADHD in addition to the menstrual cycle:
Menstrual cramps are listed as a potential adverse effect of the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
Methylphenidate, a stimulant, may intensify menstrual bleeding.
One potential side effect of atomoxetine, a non-stimulant SNRI, is heavy, irregular, or painful periods.
Ways to assist your daughter
Your daughter could feel self-conscious about her physical changes as she approaches puberty. As a result, it’s critical to have an honest conversation with her about her period so that she can grow to love and respect her body. To make her feel less stressed each month, consider these preparatory suggestion Encourage her to get a head start on any assignments or papers that are due during or soon after her period to save herself from needless stress. If she is experiencing excessive emotional outbursts or fatigue due to PMS, advise her to take it easy and avoid scheduling social events during those few days of the month. Make sure she gets enough sleep, and if you think she needs more, you may even recommend an earlier bedtime. Purchase tampons or pads in advance, and ask her to let you know when she will run out Make sure she carries a toiletry bag, either in her school backpack or a bag she uses outside of school, with additional sanitary products and underwear before and throughout her period. Make a note on her phone to replace her tampon or pad at regular intervals throughout the day. To prevent awakening to an accident in the morning, use extra pads or tampons during the night.
Handling
Some girls discover that when they are menstruating, their ADHD drugs don’t function as well. Consult your doctor about modifying your daughter’s medication during her period or PMS if she is having trouble managing her ADHD symptoms.According to Dr. Quinn, stimulants may be used in conjunction with hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) if PMDD becomes a problem. Furthermore, some symptoms may be alleviated by modifying one’s diet and exercise routine. Your daughter may be able to cope better as she gets older if you can help her understand how her changing hormones impact her symptoms of ADHD, whether they occur during the menstrual cycle or at other times in her life.
jones 
efilters 
stitching