ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in treatment recommendations contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
adhd in adult women treatment is characterized by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have trouble maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat.
Some women and girls do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD), but compensate when they enter high school where social and academic demands are increased. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping at college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD, in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is typically unintentional, can contribute to this disparity. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to hide their symptoms as mentioned above, or because they present with different symptoms than males.
Females and females are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their propensity to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, like anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and to receive inappropriate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by hiding the root cause.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. You are having trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. 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 you have difficulty listening to what they are saying. You have trouble sitting still, and may fumble or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions, and you might make snide or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to find the help and resources that can help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis, since it gives them an explanation for the challenges they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on discrimination against women or poor communication or their own gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and history as well as using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to gauge their intensity. They'll also inquire about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications to improve your functioning. Your doctor may suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Or, they may recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you focus without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than men and boys. This delay is likely due to sexist views, a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can change throughout life and may worsen when, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can heighten the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it difficult for them to keep up with work or social engagements. They might also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills as well as completing school or work assignments, or completing household chores. This can lead to feeling dissatisfied with their lives and exacerbate mental issues like depression or anxiety.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, genetic, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's birth status according to their chromosomes and anatomy and also includes people who identify as females, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is through multimodal treatment that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and work accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder time navigating relationships than boys. They may be misunderstood, either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can lead to anger and feeling of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping jobs due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties with executive tasks. Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping like 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 drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health care experts.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they join in community or support groups, as they can offer a safe place to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD often struggle to form and maintain friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They could be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them and others at risk. These can include a lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, as well as the current state of mind. The physician will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in the world of work. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD have to face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
People who suffer from ADHD can get a lot of support and empathy by interacting with other people who share the same diagnosis. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer support for people with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek advice from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues like depression, anxiety or ADHD. There are also apps to keep them focused on tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that provide virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate, which pairs people working on the same project so they can work together from a distance.