ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys. Symptoms like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterised by a lack of organization in which people forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also struggle to maintain relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional instability. They may be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression that co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then they compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic expectations rise. As a result, they do not seek help until they are struggling to cope in college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be unintentional. Women and girls are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they hide symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
Females and females are less likely to be referred for ADHD due to their propensity to show mood or emotional symptoms, such as anger, rage and depression. They are more likely to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders and receive inadequate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by masking the root causes.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more prevalent for women and girls - include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making a mistake at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time while doing your work. You are unable to sit still and find it hard to relax. You have trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and neat. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. It is easy to forget 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 always on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what people are talking about. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming your seat or grabbing your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions, and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD An the right diagnosis is essential. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and assist you in finding the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls feel relief from their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the difficulties they've been struggling to understand or blamed on discrimination against women, poor communication, or their own gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test for ADHD according to your symptoms and history tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your performance. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. They may also suggest medication that helps you concentrate and focus. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls than in boys. This delay is likely due to sexist attitudes as well as a lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and can worsen in the midst of, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to anger and miscommunications with colleagues, romantic partners or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to social or work. They may also struggle to complete tasks such as paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This could cause them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender refers to the person's birth status according to their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people recognize their symptoms and find the most effective treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ an approach that is multimodal and includes therapy, medication counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have more emotional issues and have a tougher dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people and this can lead to frustration and the feeling that life is unfair. They also have a higher chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining jobs because of their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulties 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 which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking 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 (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way someone thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that aims to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It could also include incorporating lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health professionals.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to have a support system in place which could include family members, friends, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support or community groups, as they can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They could be at risk for reckless and destructive behavior that could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activities.
A health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their current mood. The physician will also assess the environment of the patient to determine whether it's a contributing factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are many books that can help 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 confront. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" provides a range of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with other people with the same diagnosis can provide a lot help and understanding. high functioning adhd in women and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many people with ADHD can benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Some people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and other software, to monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together via remote.