ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD may exhibit different signs. Signs of ADHD include impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
Unfortunately, these disparities and an unbalanced treatment referral contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulties staying organized, forgetting appointments or making payments, and struggling to maintain friendships. Women and girls may also have trouble maintaining relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it harder to diagnose and treat.
Some girls and women do not show obvious symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), but compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic demands rise. This is why they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. Girls and women are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they hide symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD diagnosed due to the fact that they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety and receive inappropriate treatment that can exacerbate their problems.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or careless mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or the events that occur around you. You also lose track of time while working on tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it difficult to relax. You aren't able to keep your space or desk organized and you can easily become overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You tend to forget important details or important dates, such as the birthday of a friend.
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 in motion, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what others are talking about. You have a hard time sitting still, and may fumble or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions and you could make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A clear diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and assist you in finding the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women find relief in their diagnosis, since it provides an explanation for the issues they've struggled to comprehend, or chalked up with discrimination against women, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and history and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to assess their intensity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that can improve your functioning. For instance your doctor might suggest organizational methods like planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or suggest a medication to help you concentrate and focus. The medications that treat ADHD contain stimulants that improve your attention and alertness or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is typically diagnosed later than it is in boys and men. It is likely that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare, and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
Symptoms can vary throughout life and can get worse before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, colleagues, or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to meet work or social commitments. They may also find it difficult to finish tasks like paying bills as well as working on school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can lead people to feel unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, genetic and environmental influences. Gender refers to a person's birth status according to their chromosomes as well as their anatomy, and includes people who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with 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 for girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including medication, therapy and counseling as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and a tougher dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by romantic partners or others which can cause frustration and a feeling that life is unfair. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
Often, they have more difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job due to their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulty with executive functions. 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 can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including 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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine and clonidine.
high functioning adhd in women and girls with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and acts. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is focused on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It could also involve lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
People suffering from ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support or community groups, as they can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips on how to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These behaviors include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs or engaging in risky sexual activities.
A health care provider must perform a thorough evaluation to identify the root of the problem and formulate a treatment plan that is effective. This includes looking into the patient's medical and mental health history, as well as current mood. The doctor will also look at the environment of the patient to determine whether it's an influence.
There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in everyday life. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased Focus, Motivation and Performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of support and empathy. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that help you develop organizational and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new ways of coping and achieve goals in their lives. They can also get help from a therapist who is specialized in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people also use apps to help them stay focused on tasks like the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that offer virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate, which pairs people with the same task so they can work together via remote.