ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. Signs of ADHD include inattention, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
These biases and differences in treatment recommendations contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulty staying organized and forgetting appointments, or paying bills and struggling to maintain friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activity and a tendency towards emotional volatility. They could be misunderstood or suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that can co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to identify and treat.
Some girls and women do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD) However, they do make up for it when they start high school, when academic and social demands increase. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD, in comparison to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which can often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD due to the fact that they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD being referred to them because they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes in school or at work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you frequently lose track of time when doing tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You aren't able to keep your space or desk tidy and you can easily become overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You are more likely to forget important dates or events, for example, birthdays of 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 constantly busy, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, fumbling around in your chair or tuck your hair. You're not able to manage your emotions and may blurt out hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD an accurate diagnosis is key. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the issues you face and help you locate the resources and support you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis can be a moment of lightbulb for many women and girls. find their diagnosis to be 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 biases or miscommunication, or even their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD based on your symptoms and past symptoms, and also by using a symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of the symptoms. They will also ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medicines that could help you function better. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Or, they may recommend medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you focus without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is often diagnosed much later than in boys and men. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can vary throughout life and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends, or colleagues, and make it hard for people to keep up with their work or social engagements. They may also find it difficult to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This could lead to feelings of discontent with their lives and may exacerbate emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, genetic and environmental influences. Gender refers to the gender-specific status that a person gets at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as females or men, or even nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to use multimodal treatment that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a harder time navigating relationships. They can be misunderstood either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can lead to anger and a feeling of unfairness. high functioning adhd in women have a greater risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They typically have a harder time finding work or retaining jobs because of their disorganization and poor time management skills, and difficulties in executive functions (planning or organizing prioritizing). The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to maintain or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope like 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)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual reacts to and interprets situations. It may also include changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health experts.
People who suffer from ADHD should have a strong support system that could include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. women and adhd is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, as they can provide a safe environment to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice on how to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behavior which could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include insufficient safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is effective. This includes a person's mental and medical history as well as their current mood. The doctor will also look at the person's surroundings to determine whether it's a contributing factor.
There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are books that can help you manage the condition and achieve success in everyday life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and compassion. Many websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parenting group. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and reach their goals in their lives. high functioning adhd in women can also seek assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and software, to monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two individuals who share the same task together via remote.