ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different signs than boys. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals may make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
These biases and differences in treatment referral can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterized by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Females and females can also have issues with relationships, impulsivity which can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with depression or anxiety disorders that can co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls do not show obvious symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) however, they compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic demands are increased. As a result, they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or the workplace.
Research shows that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. This is due to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they hide symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
Women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their tendency to show mood or emotional symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be diagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that can exacerbate their issues.
The signs of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused, missing deadlines, or making a mistake at school or at work. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other things going on around you, and you often lose track of time while doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You have trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are prone to forget important information or events, 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 always on the go, interrupt others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are saying. 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 make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD an getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and help you find the resources and support you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis, as it gives them an explanation for the difficulties they've struggled to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and background as well as using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine their intensity. They can also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications that can improve your performance. For example, your doctor may recommend ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication that can aid in concentration and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which can help you focus without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls, but not in boys. This is probably due to sexist views, a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests for females.
The symptoms can vary across the years and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with romantic partners, colleagues or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain commitments to work or social obligations. They may also have difficulty to complete tasks such as paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This can lead to feelings of discontent with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as anxiety or depression.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due in part to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes as well as their anatomy, and includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better recognize their symptoms and find the most effective treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is through a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy, counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They might be misunderstood by their partners or others, which can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to maintain or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can lead 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It may also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD should have a strong support system, which may include family members, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support or community groups, as they can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They are at risk for impulsive and destructive behaviors that may expose them to harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs or engaging in risky sexual activities.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is effective. This includes the patient's medical and mental background as well as their current mood. The physician will also take a look at the environment around the person to determine whether they could be a cause.
There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are many books that can help you manage the condition and achieve success in life. For undiagnosed adhd in women , "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 face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance without or with medication" provides a range of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can give a lot of support and compassion. ADDitude magazine's forum and 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 teach organizational and executive functions.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Many people also use apps to keep them focused on tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two people who have the same task together remotely.