ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may show different symptoms. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these disparities and the bias in referral to treatment result in the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd are difficulty staying organized not remembering appointments or paying bills, and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty in relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities and a tendency towards emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression that co-occur with ADHD making it more difficult to be diagnosed 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 when they enter high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek assistance until they experience difficulties in college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD in comparison to males and females. This is due to gender bias, which can often be unintentional. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as previously mentioned or because they are diagnosed with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD being referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for anxiety or mood disorders and to receive inappropriate treatment, which could exacerbate their issues by masking the root causes.
Inattentional ADHD is more common among women and girls. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time while doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You struggle to keep your room or desk tidy and neat. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You are prone to forget important details or important events, like birthday celebrations for friends.
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 have trouble listening to what others are talking about. You have trouble sitting still, and may fumble or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming your seat or grabbing your hair. You are unable to control your emotions and sometimes blurt out hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are challenging, and allow you to get the help and support that will help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can be a moment of clarity that many girls and women find their diagnosis to be 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 even their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking at your symptoms and past history as well as using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity. They can also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medicines that could enhance your performance. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. They may also recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. This is probably due to sexist views and an inaccessibility to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests for females.
The symptoms can be different across the lifespan, and they can worsen in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it difficult for them to keep up with their work or social engagements. They may also struggle to complete tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can cause people to feel unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as females, men or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis will help people better understand 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, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They may be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people and this can lead to frustration and the feeling that life is unfair. They are also at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Most of the time, they have more trouble finding or keeping jobs because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. 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, which can lead them to seek out unhealthy methods of coping 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 drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to change the way an individual 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 crucial to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
It is important for people with ADHD to have an established support system which could include family members, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support groups or community groups since they provide a safe place to discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips on managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with making and keeping friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They can be more at risk for destructive and impulsive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These behaviors include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as mood. The doctor will also take a look at the surroundings of the person to determine whether they could be a cause.
There are many sources for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that aid people in managing their condition and be successful in their daily lives. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased focus, motivation and performance With or without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for people suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with people who have the same diagnosis can offer a lot of support and compassion. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide support for those with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many people with ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist that specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Many people use apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. adhd in adult women test is one such website. It pairs people with the same job to work together remotely.