ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD may show different symptoms. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in understanding social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
These biases and differences in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterised by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women may struggle to maintain relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Some girls and women don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, but they do compensate as they enter high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. The gender bias, which is usually unintentionally, can be a factor in this disparity. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to hide their symptoms as previously mentioned or they present with different types of symptoms than males.
A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD which is more common in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time when doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You can't keep your room or desk in order and you can easily become overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. You are prone to forget important details or events, such as the birthday of a 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 go, interrupt others and have trouble listening to what people are saying. You have trouble sitting still and may fidget or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming your seat or pulling at your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD, the right diagnosis is essential. Accurate diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging and enable you to seek the support and resources that can make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women are relieved by their diagnosis because it gives them an explanation for the difficulties they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias or poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and background, and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists and post-it notes. They may also suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you focus without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls than in boys. This is likely due to sexist beliefs as well as a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may become worse during, before or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues. adhd symptoms in adult women can also make it hard for them to keep up with their work or social engagements. They may also be struggling to complete tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. This can cause people to feel unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's birth status according to their chromosomes and anatomical features, and includes people who identify as women, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people understand their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in women and young girls is through a multimodal approach that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships. They are often misunderstood either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can cause frustration and feeling of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of co-occurring anxiety and depression.
Most of the time, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping jobs because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty with executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful relationships or maintain them because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which can lead them to look for unhealthy ways to cope, such as 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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine, and clonidine.
In addition to medications women and girls with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy for talking that aims to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It may also include changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People who suffer from ADHD must have a strong support system, which may include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support or community groups since they provide an opportunity to talk about the challenges associated with living with ADHD and offer tips on managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be more prone to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These could include a lack of security measures and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, and their current mood. The provider will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are many resources for those suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites offering tools and information, and websites that offer information. There are books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in life. For example, "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" provides a variety of alternative treatments.
Connecting with people who have the same diagnosis can offer a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and 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 offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many adults with ADHD are able to benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to master new behavioral techniques and achieve their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Many people use apps, such as the well-known Wunderlist and software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that provide virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate, which pairs people who are working on the same task so that they can work from a distance.