ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different signs than boys. The symptoms include impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
These biases and differences in treatment recommendations result in the incorrect diagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd are difficulty organizing your schedule, forgetting appointments or paying bills, and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may be troubled in relationships, impulsivity that can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activities and a tendency to emotional instability. They could be misunderstood or suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat.
Some women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then they compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations rise. They don't seek assistance until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD due to the fact that they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Women and girls are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their propensity to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, such as anger, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that can exacerbate their problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more common in girls and women. It manifests as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other activities happening around you and you can easily lose track of time while working on tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it difficult to relax. You are having trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and well-organized. You're easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events like the birthday of your 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 constantly on the go, interrupt others and have trouble listening to what people are saying. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or act on impulse like squirming your seat or pulling at your hair. You're not able to manage your emotions and may make snide remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you get the help and support that will assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the issues they've been unable to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias, poor communication, or their own gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by looking at your symptoms and past history and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity. They can also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medicines that could enhance your performance. Your doctor may suggest methods of organization such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Also, they could suggest medication that helps you concentrate and focus. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or nonstimulants that can help you stay focused, without increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls, but not in boys. This is probably due to sexist views and a lack of access to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can become more severe in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause confusion and frustration with colleagues, romantic partners or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to work or social obligations. They may also struggle to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. This can lead them to feel dissatisfied with their lives and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are most likely the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's birth status according to their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and includes those who identify as females, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Being diagnosed early will help people better understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD for girls and women is to use a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy and counseling, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often more prone to emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships than men. They can be misunderstood either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can lead to frustration and feelings of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping a job due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty in executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to seek unhealthy methods of coping like 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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine and clonidine.
Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual reacts to and interprets situations. It could also involve changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health professionals.
People who suffer from ADHD need a solid support system. This could include family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is recommended that they join in community or support groups, as they can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and offer tips on how to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They are susceptible to impulsive and destructive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These could include the lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes the patient's medical and mental background as well as their mood. signs of adhd in women will also take a look at the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD. These include support groups, websites that provide tools and information, as well as websites that provide information. There are many books that can help manage the condition and help you achieve success in the world of work. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for people suffering from ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD can find a lot of support and empathy by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from working with a counselor or coach to master new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek advice from a therapist that specializes in treating mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their work like the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps monitor their daily activities. There are many websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two people who have the same job to work together via remote.