ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. For example, symptoms like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it difficult for them to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process result in the incorrect diagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment 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 that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activity and a tendency towards emotional instability. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat.
Some girls and women do not show obvious symptoms of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) However, they do overcome it when they enter high school where social and academic demands are increased. They don't seek assistance until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is usually unintentional, can contribute to this disparity. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to hide their symptoms as mentioned above, or because they present with different symptoms than males.
Girls and women also are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their tendency to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely to be referred for anxiety or mood disorders and receive unsuitable treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by masking the root cause.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD that are more prevalent in women and girls include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making a mistake at school or work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other things going on around you, and you frequently lose track of time while doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and have difficulty sitting still. You have trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and well-organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. It is easy to forget important dates or events, for example, birthdays of 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 constantly in motion, interrupting others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are talking about. You might have difficulty sitting still, fidget in your chair or grab your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions, and you could make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD an the right diagnosis is essential. Accurate diagnosis will enable you to understand 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 a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women are relieved by their diagnosis, as it provides an explanation for the difficulties they've been struggling to understand or blamed on sexist bias or poor communication or internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test for ADHD based on your symptoms and past tests, using the symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of those symptoms. They can also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications that can improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Or, they may suggest medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The medications that treat ADHD contain stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than males and boys. This is likely due to sexist views and a lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests for females.
Symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. adhd in women symptoms can make it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues, or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also find it difficult to finish tasks like paying bills as well as working on school or work assignments, or doing housework. This could cause them to feel dissatisfied with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as women, men or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people recognize their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ an approach that is multimodal and includes medication, therapy counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can cause anger and feeling of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring depression and anxiety.
In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical and can cause them to look for unhealthy methods of coping with stress, including excessive drinking and substance 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, viloxazine and clonidine.
In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way an individual interprets or responds to situations. It could also include making lifestyle changes for example, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD should have a strong support system that could include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended they join support groups or community groups, as they can provide an opportunity to talk about the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and share advice to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to form and maintain friendships. They might also be suffering with depression or low self-esteem. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activities.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as mood. The physician will also assess the person's surroundings to determine if it's a factor.
There are a variety of resources available to those suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites offering information and tools, as well as websites that provide information. There are also books that aid people in managing their condition and achieve success in their daily lives. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a variety of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of support and empathy. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are just two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive functions.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit by working with a counselor or coach to learn new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Many people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and other software, to track their daily activities. There are many websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people with the same task to work together via remote.