ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. The symptoms of the inability to focus, forgetfulness, and impulsivity. in interpreting social signals can make it difficult for them to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which could lead to risk-taking behaviors, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD, making it even difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some girls and women do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then compensate as they enter high school, where social and academic expectations rise. This is why they don't seek help until they are struggling to cope in college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD, in comparison to men and boys. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to camouflage their symptoms, as described above, or because they present with different types of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD diagnosed because they tend to show mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive treatment that could exacerbate their issues.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent for women and girls - include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at work or school. You are easily distracted, either by your 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 find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You have trouble keeping your desk or room clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit 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 always moving you are constantly interrupting others and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You may have trouble sitting still, or twitching in your chair or grab your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions, and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A correct diagnosis can help you comprehend the challenges you face and help you find the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could be a moment of lightbulb: many women and girls are able to experience their diagnosis as a relief, giving them an external explanation for problems that they have long struggled to understand or chalked up to sexist biases or miscommunication, or even their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and previous experiences tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications to improve your functioning. For example, your doctor may recommend strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or suggest a medication to aid in concentration and focus. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that improve your attention and alertness, or nonstimulants that aid in staying focused without affecting your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls, but not in boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and can worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can cause tensions and misunderstandings with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with their work or social obligations. They may also have difficulty to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This can lead them to feel dissatisfied with their lives and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are most likely due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender is the status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as women or men, or even nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in women and girls involves a multimodal strategy including medication, therapy and counseling in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD typically have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood, either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can lead to frustration and feeling of unfairness. They also have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Most of the time, they have more trouble finding or keeping a job because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive functions. Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Girls and women with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that aims to change the way someone perceives and responds to situations. It may also include lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be done under the supervision of health care professionals.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system. This could include family, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. high functioning adhd in women is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups since they provide an environment where they can discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and offer tips for managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD often struggle to form and keep friendships. They might also be suffering from low self-esteem or depression. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activities.
A health professional must perform a thorough evaluation to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the patient's medical and mental background as well as their mood. The doctor will also take a look at the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are numerous resources available for those suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites offering tools and information, and websites that provide information. There are also books that can aid people in managing their condition and achieve success in their daily lives. For instance, "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. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to increase focus, motivation and performance without or with medication" provides a variety of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can give a lot of support and compassion. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to develop new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist that specializes in treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Some people use apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which allows people to collaborate who are working on the same task to work via remote.