ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD typically have different symptoms than men. Symptoms like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to make friends or maintain relationships.
These differences and biases in the treatment process can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments not remembering appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Females and females can also be troubled in relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities and a tendency to emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and may suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD, making it even difficult to diagnose and treated.
add symptoms in adult women and girls do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) however, they overcome it when they enter high school, when social and academic demands rise. They don't seek assistance until they are having difficulty coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which can often be not intentional. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD or similar disorders, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or the events that happen around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it difficult to relax. You are having trouble keeping your desk or room clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or stores. You are prone to forget important information or important dates, such as birthday celebrations for friends.
Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent in boys and men - can interfere with relationships, schoolwork and job performance. You are always moving, you interrupt others and have trouble listening to what they're saying. You have a hard time sitting still, and may fumble or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You're unable to control your emotions, and can make snide, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you get the help and support that can assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis, as it gives them an explanation for the challenges they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias, poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and past history, and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to gauge the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will improve your functioning. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also suggest a medication that helps you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, which can boost your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you focus without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is typically diagnosed later than males and boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare, and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can change throughout life and may worsen during, before or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can increase the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with work or social commitments. They may also be struggling to complete tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This can cause feeling dissatisfied with their lives and exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender refers back to a person's status at birth according to their chromosomes and anatomical features and also includes people who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early will help people better understand their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD for women and young girls is through an approach that is multimodal and includes therapy, medication counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a difficult to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
They often have more difficulty finding work or retaining jobs because of their disorganization and poor time management skills and problems with executive functions (planning or organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking and drug use.
The most common medications used to treat ADHD in adults are stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall(r)) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse(r)). Non-stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication women and girls with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy for talking that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It can also include changes in lifestyle, like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health care professionals.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a support system in place which could include friends, family members as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, since they can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often have difficulty making and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from depression or low self-esteem. They may be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These can include the lack of safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs, or engagement in high risk sexual activity.
A health professional must conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan efficient. This involves looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as current mood. The provider will also examine the person's environment to see whether it's an influence.
There are many sources for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can help you manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation, and performance without or with medication" offers a variety of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of support and empathy. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and achieve goals in their lives. They can also get help from a therapist who specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that offer virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which allows people to collaborate working on the same project to work remotely.