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 to make friends or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these variations and a bias in treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterized by a lack of organization in which people forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls can also experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity which leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, but they do compensate when they enter high school, where academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties in college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD, in comparison to boys and men. Gender bias, which is typically unintentionally, can be a factor in this disparity. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as previously mentioned, or because they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for mood disorders or anxiety and to receive inappropriate treatment, which can compound their issues by hiding the root causes.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as a lack of concentration, missed deadlines, or making mistakes in school or at work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other activities going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time while doing your work. You struggle to stay focused and find it hard to relax. You struggle to keep your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are more likely to forget 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 always moving you are constantly interrupting others and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You have a hard time being still and you may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You aren't able to manage your emotions, and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD an getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A clear diagnosis can help you understand the challenges you face and help you find the support and resources you require to feel more in control. adhd in adult women symptoms could be a moment of lightbulb that many girls and women experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for challenges that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking into your symptoms and history, and using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications that can improve your overall performance. Your doctor may suggest methods of organization, such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. Or, they may suggest medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs and an inaccessibility to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests in females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and can worsen during, before, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to frustration and misunderstandings with colleagues, romantic partners or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to meet commitments to work or social obligations. They may also have difficulty 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 may cause emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better know their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD for girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including medication, therapy and counseling, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their romantic partners or other people, which can lead to frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
In most cases, they have greater trouble finding or keeping an employment because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulties 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 critical of themselves and this can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including 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 the atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It can also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health experts.
People suffering from ADHD need a solid support system that could include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they join community or support groups, as they can provide a safe place to discuss 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 have low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They are vulnerable to reckless and destructive behavior that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These behaviors can include insufficient security measures or the misuse of alcohol or drugs, or engagement in high risk sexual activity.
A health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of the symptoms and create 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 person's surroundings to determine if it's a factor.
There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in everyday life. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's doctoral book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" offers a variety of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis can offer a lot of help and understanding. Numerous websites and social media platforms provide assistance for those suffering from ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that teach organization and executive functions.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new behavioral strategies and achieve goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist that specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two people who have the same task to work together remotely.