ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. Signs of ADHD include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
These differences and biases in treatment referral can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment in young women.
high functioning adhd in women and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulty keeping track of appointments not remembering appointments or making payments, and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat.
Some women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) however, they compensate when they enter high school where social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is typically unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. In particular, females and girls are less likely to be referred to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as previously mentioned or they present with different types of symptoms than males.
A woman or girl is less likely to have ADHD diagnosed due to the fact that they tend to show mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their issues.
Inattentive ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women. It manifests as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other things happening around you and you often lose track of time while doing tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it difficult to relax. You have trouble keeping your desk or room tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You're likely to forget important details 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 moving, you interrupt others and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or react on impulse like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You're not able to control your emotions, and can blurt out hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A clear diagnosis can help you comprehend the issues you face and help you locate the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the challenges they've struggled to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by examining your symptoms and past history, and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that can improve your overall performance. For example your doctor may suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or they may recommend a medication that will help you focus and concentrate. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that improve your attention and alertness as well as non-stimulants to help you stay focused without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls than in boys. This delay is likely due to sexist views as well as an inaccessibility to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can vary across the years and can get worse before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause anger and miscommunications with romantic partners, colleagues or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to work or social obligations. They might also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or even doing household chores. This can cause them to be unhappy with their lives, and may cause emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely to be the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person gets at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as women or men, or even non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people recognize their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to employ multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and work accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They are often misunderstood either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can lead to anger and feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
They often have more difficulty finding work or retaining jobs due to their inability to organize, poor time management skills, and difficulties in executive functions (planning, organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way someone thinks and behaves. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which concentrates on changing how 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 crucial to remember that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health experts.
People with ADHD should have a strong support system. This could include friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. It is recommended that they join in support groups or community groups, since they can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice on how to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to form and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They may be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These could include the lack of safety precautions, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
undiagnosed adhd in women must perform a thorough evaluation in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their mood. women and adhd will also look at the person's surroundings to determine whether it's a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books to aid people in managing their condition and achieve success in life. "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. Stephanie Sarkis's doctoral book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" provides a variety of alternative treatment options.
People who suffer from ADHD will find plenty of empathy and support by connecting with other people with the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and achieve goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist that specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Many people use apps, such as the well-known wunderlist and software, to monitor their daily activities. There are also a range of websites that offer virtual collaboration, like Focusmate which allows people to collaborate who are working on the same task so they can work together via remote.