ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. Signs of ADHD include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals may make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd include difficulty keeping track of appointments and forgetting appointments, or paying bills, and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may have issues in relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression that can co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then compensate when they reach high school, when academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties at college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is usually unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Females and females are less likely to be referred for ADHD due to their propensity to show mood or emotional symptoms, such as anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that may aggravate their problems.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent in girls and women - include trouble staying focused, missing deadlines, or making careless mistakes at work or school. You are easily distracted, either by your thoughts or the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it hard to relax. It is difficult to keep your room or desk organized and you're easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. It is easy 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 busy, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what others are talking about. You may find it difficult to sit still, or twitching in your chair, or even grab your hair. You're not able to control your emotions and sometimes blurt out hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD An accurate diagnosis is key. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are challenging and help you seek the support and resources to help you feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment for many women and girls. are able to experience their diagnosis as a relief, giving them an external explanation of the difficulties that they have long struggled to comprehend or attributed to sexist bias or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test for ADHD according to your symptoms and past tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of these 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 functioning. Your doctor may suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists and post-it notes. They may also suggest medication that helps you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD may 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 in women and girls is typically diagnosed later than in males and boys. This is likely due to sexist beliefs as well as a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests in females.
The symptoms can change throughout life and can worsen during, before, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to work or social obligations. They might also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills and finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are most likely due to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status a person receives at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as women, men or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD for women and young girls is through multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a tougher dealing with relationships than males. They can be misunderstood or criticized by romantic partners or others, which can lead to frustration and a feeling that life is unfair. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring depression and anxiety.
They often have more difficulty finding work or retaining jobs due to their lack of organization in their lives, lack of time management skills and difficulty in executive functions (planning and organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical and can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug 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 for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Web Site (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual interprets and responds to situations. It may also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health care professionals.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. Recommended Resource site is also recommended they join support or community groups since they provide an environment where they can discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips on managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD have a hard time making and keeping friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These can include insufficient safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
A doctor must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as mood. The doctor will also look at the person's environment to see whether it's an influence.
There are many sources for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" offers a variety of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis can provide a lot help and understanding. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are two of the many websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many people with ADHD could benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to master new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. There are apps, like the popular Wunderlist and other software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are many websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together remotely.