ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different symptoms than men. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social cues can make it difficult for them to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these differences and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some girls and women do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then compensate as they enter high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties at college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD as compared to boys and men. Gender bias, which is usually not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that may aggravate their problems.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other things happening around you and you can easily lose track of time when doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You are having trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and well-organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are prone to forgetting important events or details, 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 on the move, you interrupt others and have trouble listening to what they are saying. You may find it difficult to sit still, fidget in your chair or tuck your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions and you may make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD An getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging and help you get the help and support that can help you feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis can be a moment of clarity for many women and girls. experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation of the difficulties that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias, miscommunication, or their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by looking at your symptoms and past history as well as using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to assess the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will help you function better. For example your doctor may suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or recommend a medication that will aid in concentration and focus. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or nonstimulants that aid in staying focused without affecting your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than it is in males and boys. It is likely that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may 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 undiagnosed adhd in women , impulsivity and inattention can heighten the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with their work or social commitments. They may also have difficulty to complete tasks like paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This could lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives and exacerbate mental issues like anxiety or depression.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are most likely to be due in part to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and includes those who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people recognize their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to employ multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder time navigating relationships. They can be misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause frustration and feeling of unfairness. They also have greater risk of having depression and anxiety co-occurring.
They often have more difficulty finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize in their lives, lack of time management skills and difficulty with executive functions (planning and organizing prioritizing). They often struggle to develop meaningful relationships or maintain them due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope 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 include atomoxetine and viloxazine, and clonidine.
Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be done under the supervision of health professionals.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a support system in place that includes friends, family members as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in community or support 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 who suffer from ADHD have a hard time making and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They could be vulnerable to impulsive and destructive behaviors which could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These could include the lack of security measures or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A doctor should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of the symptoms and formulate an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as current mood. The provider will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are many resources for people with ADHD. These include support groups, websites that offer tools and information, and websites that provide information. There are many books that can help manage the condition and help you achieve success in everyday life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD have to 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 people with ADHD.
People who suffer from ADHD can find a lot of help and understanding by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive functions.
Many adults with ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to develop new behavioral techniques and achieve their goals. They can also get help from a therapist who specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. There are apps, such as the popular wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together via remote.