ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit different signs. Signs of ADHD include forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
These biases and differences in treatment referral can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Females and females can also be troubled in relationships, impulsivity that can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activities and a tendency to emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which can co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Some women and girls do not show obvious symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but overcome it when they enter high school where social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at 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. The gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to conceal their symptoms, as previously mentioned or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD diagnosed due to the fact that they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders and receive unsuitable treatment, which can compound their issues by masking the underlying causes.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more prevalent in women and girls include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other activities happening around you and you frequently lose track of time when doing your work. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You aren't able to keep your space or desk in order and you're easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You tend to forget important details or events, 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 frequently in motion, interrupting others and have trouble listening to what others are talking about. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or react on impulse like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You're unable to control your emotions, and can make snide remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD an accurate diagnosis is key. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and help you find the resources and support you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could be a moment of clarity: many women and girls are able to experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for problems that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias or miscommunication, or even their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and history, and by using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to determine the severity of these symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Or, they may recommend medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than males and boys. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can be different across the years and can become more severe in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls 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 work or social commitments. women and adhd may also struggle to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This could lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are likely to be due in part to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes people who identify themselves as women or men, or even nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people recognize their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to use an approach that is multimodal and includes medication, therapy counseling, home and office accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD typically have more emotional problems and a harder to navigate relationships than men. They can be misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause frustration as well as a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of co-occurring anxiety and depression.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping jobs because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful relationships or maintain them because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical, which may lead them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and drugs.
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.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of therapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks and behaves. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way an individual interprets or responds to situations. It may also include changes to lifestyles, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
It is important for people with ADHD to have a support system in place, which can include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups as these can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges associated with living with ADHD, and share tips on managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often have difficulty making and keep friendships. They may also suffer with depression or low self-esteem. They are vulnerable to reckless and destructive behavior that may expose them to harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan that is efficient. This involves looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, and their current mood. The provider will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can assist people with their condition and find success in their daily lives. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
People with ADHD can get a lot of help and understanding by connecting with others with the same diagnosis. Numerous websites and social media platforms provide assistance for those suffering from ADHD, including ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing abilities.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and reach their goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. There are also apps to help them stay focused on tasks like the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which connects people working on the same project to work from a distance.