ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd include difficulties staying organized not remembering appointments or paying bills and struggling to maintain friendships. Females and females can also be troubled in relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional instability. They could be misunderstood or suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which may be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat.
Some girls and women don't show any obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school, when social and academic demands are increased. They don't seek assistance until they have trouble coping at college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. This is due to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. In particular, females and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD because they are more likely to hide their symptoms as mentioned above or they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.
Girls and women also are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that may aggravate their problems.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more prevalent in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused, missing deadlines, or making a mistake at school or work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things happening around you and you often lose track of time while doing tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You struggle to keep your room or desk clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You're likely to overlook important details 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 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 act on impulse like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. It's difficult to manage your emotions, and you may make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A correct diagnosis can help you understand the difficulties you are facing and help you find the resources and support you require to feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment that many girls and women find their diagnosis to be an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for problems that they've struggled to comprehend or attributed to sexist bias, miscommunication, or their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD based on your symptoms and previous experiences tests, using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to assess the severity of these symptoms. They will also ask questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will enhance your performance. For example your doctor may suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or they may suggest a medication that can help you concentrate and focus. Medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than in men and boys. It is likely that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can change throughout life and may become worse in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can heighten tensions and misunderstandings with romantic partners, friends or colleagues. It can also make it hard for them to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also be struggling to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. adhd symptoms in adult women can cause them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are most likely the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's assigned status at birth according to their chromosomes and anatomy and also includes people who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including counseling, therapy and medication as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Women and girls with ADHD typically have more emotional problems and a harder time navigating relationships than boys. They may be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people, which can lead to anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They often have more difficulty finding work or maintaining jobs due to their inability to organize and poor time management skills and difficulty in executive functions (planning or organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful relationships or maintain them due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and drugs.
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)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications women and girls with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to change the way someone thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It may also include changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be done under the supervision of health experts.
People suffering from ADHD must have a strong support system. This could include family members, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups since they provide a safe place to discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD often have difficulty making and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They are susceptible to reckless and destructive behavior that could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activities.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the patient's medical and mental background as well as their current mood. The doctor will also take a look at the person's surroundings to see whether they could be a cause.
There are a variety of resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are books that can help you manage the condition and achieve success in everyday life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance without or with medication" offers a variety of alternative treatments.
People who suffer from ADHD will find plenty of support and empathy by interacting with other people with the same diagnosis. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer assistance for those suffering from ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many adults with ADHD could benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to develop new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also get assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on their tasks like the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that offer virtual collaboration, like Focusmate which connects people who are working on the same task so that they can work remotely.