ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than men. Symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult for them to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, adhd in women adults and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulty keeping track of appointments and forgetting appointments, or paying bills, and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Women and girls can also be troubled with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities and a tendency towards emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression that can co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD) however, they overcome it when they enter high school, where social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has proven that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which could often be unintentional. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD because they tend to hide their symptoms as mentioned above or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to suffer from ADHD being referred to them because they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for depression or anxiety and receive treatment that may aggravate their issues.
The signs of the inattentive subtype of ADHD that are more common for women and girls - include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. It is difficult to relax and find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You struggle to keep your room or desk clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events such as your friend's birthday.
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 constantly busy, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or react on impulse like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You are unable to control your emotions and sometimes blurt out hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD an the right diagnosis is essential. Getting a proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging and enable you to find the help and resources that can help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can be a moment of lightbulb for many women and girls. experience their diagnosis as a relief, giving them an external explanation for problems that they've struggled to understand or chalked up to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and past symptoms, and also by using the symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that can help you function better. For example, your doctor may recommend ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or suggest a medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medicines used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you stay focused without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. It is likely that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
Symptoms may vary throughout life and may worsen during, before or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with romantic partners, colleagues or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to meet commitments to social or work. They may also be struggling to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can lead to feeling dissatisfied with their lives and exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, genetic and environmental influences. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and includes those who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to use multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD typically have more emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships than men. They are often misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause frustration and feelings of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of suffering from depression and anxiety.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping an employment due to their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulties with executive functions. The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping with stress, including excessive alcohol and alcohol consumption.
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.
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and behaves. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which concentrates on changing how the person perceives or reacts to situations. It could also include incorporating lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is crucial to remember that cutting out foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
People suffering from ADHD need a solid support system that could include family members, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended they join community or support groups as these can offer an opportunity to talk about the challenges of living with ADHD and offer tips on managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These could include a lack of safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
adhd in women adult should do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of the symptoms and formulate an effective treatment plan. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as their current mood. The physician will also examine the person's surroundings to see whether they could be a cause.
There are many resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books to assist people with their condition and be successful in their daily lives. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance focus, motivation and performance With or without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for people with ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and to achieve their 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 anxiety or depression. There are apps, like the popular Wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two people with the same task to work together via remote.