ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may show different symptoms. Symptoms such as forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these disparities and an unbalanced treatment referral contribute to the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity which leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat.
Certain women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school where social and academic demands are increased. This is why they do not seek help until they struggle to manage in college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD, in comparison to men and boys. Gender bias, which is typically unintentional, can contribute to this gap. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their issues.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD that are more common for women and girls - are a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or making careless mistakes at work or school. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you and you frequently lose track of time when doing tasks. You find it difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. You are having trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You're easily overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You are more likely to forget important dates or events, like the birthday of your friend.
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 on the move, you interrupt others and you have difficulty listening to what they are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions, and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls suffering from ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are difficult, and allow you to find the help and resources that will help you feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a moment of clarity for many women and girls. experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for problems that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias, miscommunication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test for ADHD by looking at your symptoms and background and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to gauge the severity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that can help you function better. For instance, your doctor may recommend ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or suggest a medication to aid in concentration and focus. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that can increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that can help you stay focused, without increasing your heart rate or 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 are the main reasons for this delay.
The symptoms can be different across the years and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can cause problems with the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, colleagues, or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain commitments to social or work. They might also have difficulty to complete tasks like paying bills as well as completing school or work assignments, or completing household chores. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender refers to a person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many girls and women do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early will help people better understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal approach, which includes medication, therapy and counseling, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle strategies.
add adult women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder to navigate relationships than men. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their partners or others, which can lead to frustration and the feeling that life is unfair. They also have a higher risk of depression and anxiety co-occurring.
In most cases, they have greater difficulties obtaining or keeping jobs due to their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical, which may lead them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 atomoxetine and viloxazine and Clonidine.
Girls and women with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way an individual thinks and behaves. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the way an individual interprets or responds to situations. It could also involve changes in lifestyle, like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to have a support system in place, which can include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join community or support groups as these can offer an opportunity to talk about the challenges associated with living with ADHD, and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They are at risk for destructive and impulsive behaviors which could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These behaviors can include a lack of safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes the person's medical and mental background as well as their current state of mind. The provider will also examine the person's environment to see whether it's a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in life. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased focus, motivation and performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
People who suffer from ADHD will find plenty of help and understanding by connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide support for those with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. add and adhd in women offer summer camps or day programs that help you develop organizational and executive function skills.
Many people with ADHD are able to benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Many people use apps, such as the popular wunderlist and software, to monitor their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that offer virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate, which pairs people with the same task to work remotely.