ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys. The symptoms include forgetfulness, impulsivity and difficulty in understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments, forgetting appointments or making payments, and struggling to maintain friendships. Women and girls can also have issues with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activity and a tendency towards emotional volatility. They could be misunderstood or suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that can co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to identify and treat.
Certain women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, but they do compensate when they enter high school, when social and academic expectations are raised. This is why they don't seek help until they have difficulty coping in college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be not intentional. Women and girls are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they hide symptoms as described above or because they have different symptoms.
Women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, like anger, rage and depression. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or careless mistakes in school or at work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things happening around you and you often lose track of time when doing tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it hard to relax. You struggle to keep your desk or room tidy and well-organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are prone to forget important information or important dates, 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 move and interrupt others, and you have difficulty listening to what they are saying. You have trouble sitting still, and may fumble or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You're not able to control your emotions and sometimes make snide, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you find the help and resources that can make you feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis could be a moment of lightbulb that many girls and women experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation of the difficulties that they've been unable to understand or chalked up to sexist bias or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and history symptoms, and also by using a symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of these symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that will help you function better. For blog 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 could include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without affecting the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. It is likely that sexist views, less access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
Symptoms may vary throughout life and can worsen when, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This can cause problems with the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with their work or social engagements. They might also have a difficult time to complete tasks like paying bills and working on school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomy and includes those who identify as females or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early will help people better understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to use multimodal treatment that includes medication, therapy, counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder time navigating relationships than boys. They may be misunderstood, either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause anger and feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
Most of the time, they have more difficulty obtaining or maintaining jobs due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to keep or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more critical of themselves, which can lead them to seek unhealthy methods of coping, such as 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 and viloxazine and clonidine.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of talking therapy aimed at changing the way an individual thinks and acts. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which concentrates on changing how an individual interprets or responds to situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that removing foods or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
It is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to have an established support system which could include family members, friends, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they join in support groups or community groups, since they can provide a safe environment to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often have difficulty making and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from depression or low self-esteem. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include a lack of safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan efficient. This involves looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The provider will also examine the environment of the patient to determine if it's a factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD. These include support groups, websites offering information and tools, as well as websites that provide information. There are also books to assist people with their condition and be successful in their lives. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis could provide a lot help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized 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, such as the popular Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a range of websites that offer virtual collaboration, like Focusmate, which pairs people working on the same project so they can work together via remote.