ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD may exhibit different signs. Symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult for them to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by a lack of organization, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which could lead to risk-taking behaviors, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional turbulence. They can be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety 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 middle or elementary school, but they do compensate when they reach high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. As a result, they don't seek help until they are struggling to cope in college or in the workplace.
Research has shown that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this gap. In particular, females and girls are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as mentioned above or they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD diagnosed because they are more likely to exhibit mood or emotional symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which may exacerbate their problems by masking the root cause.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or the events that happen around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you are unable to sit still. It is difficult to keep your room or desk in order, and you are easily overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. You are more likely 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 frequently on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what others are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, fumbling around in your chair or grab 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, accurate diagnosis is key. A proper diagnosis can help you understand the challenges you face and help you locate the support and resources you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment for many women and girls. are able to experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation of the difficulties that they've been unable to comprehend or attributed to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and previous experiences tests, using the symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your performance. For example your doctor may suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or they may recommend a medication that will aid in concentration and focus. Medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you stay focused without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in attention deficit disorder in women and girls, but not in boys. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs, the lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself for females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may become worse in the midst of, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause frustration and misunderstandings with colleagues, romantic partners or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and 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 distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender is the assigned status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as women, men or non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD for 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 are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder to navigate relationships than men. They might be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people, which can lead to frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They are also at greater risk of having depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping an employment because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. They are often unable to form meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more critical of themselves and can cause them to seek unhealthy methods of coping with stress, including excessive drinking and adolescent 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.
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy which 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 seeks to change the way someone reacts to and interprets situations. It can also include changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly 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 professional.
People who suffer from ADHD should have a strong support system. This could include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they join support or community groups, as they can provide an opportunity to talk about the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and share advice on managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to form and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They are more susceptible to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These could include a lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A doctor should do a thorough evaluation 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. The physician will also assess the environment of the patient to determine if it's a factor.
There are a variety of resources available to people suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites that provide information and tools, as well as websites that provide information. There are also books to help people manage their condition and find success in their lives. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's doctoral book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation, and performance with or without medication" provides a variety of alternative treatment options.
People with ADHD will find plenty of support and empathy by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit from working with a counselor or coach to master new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in the treatment of mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, or ADHD. There are apps, such as the popular wunderlist and software, to monitor their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two individuals who share the same job to work together remotely.