ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these variations and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in women who are young.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by the inability to plan in which people forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women may struggle to maintain relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Some women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then they compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations rise. This is why they don't seek help until after they are struggling to cope in college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD, compared to boys and men. The gender bias, which is often 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 camouflage their symptoms, as described above or they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to suffer from ADHD being referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely to be referred for anxiety or mood disorders and to receive inappropriate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by hiding the underlying causes.
Inattentive ADHD is more common for girls and women. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it hard to relax. You are having trouble keeping your room or desk clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or shops. You are prone to forgetting 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 frequently in motion, interrupting others and have trouble listening to what others are talking about. You may find it difficult to sit still, fumbling around in your chair, or even grab your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. Getting a proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to seek the support and resources that can make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women feel relief from their diagnosis because it gives them an explanation for the issues they've been struggling to understand, or chalked up with gender bias, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by looking into your symptoms and background, and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to assess the severity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications that can improve your performance. For instance, your doctor may recommend ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication to help you focus and concentrate. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that improve your attention and alertness, or nonstimulants that can help you stay focused, without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than it is in males and boys. This is probably due to sexist views, an inaccessibility to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can change throughout life and can worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks such as paying bills and working on school or work assignments, or even doing household chores. This can cause them to be unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are most likely the result of biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person gets at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as women, men or non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people recognize their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women is to use a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy and counseling as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Girls and women with ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a tougher time navigating relationships than boys. They may be misunderstood, either by their partners or other people. This can lead to anger and feelings of unfairness. They are also at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Often, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping a job because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping with stress, including 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 and viloxazine, and Clonidine.
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy for talking that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is crucial to remember that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system. This could include friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended they join community or support groups as these can offer an opportunity to talk about the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and offer tips to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They might also be suffering with depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These behaviors can include the lack of security measures or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is high risk.
A health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes a person's mental and medical history as well as mood. signs and symptoms of adhd in women will also examine the environment around the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can assist people with their condition and find 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 face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased Focus, Motivation and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for people with ADHD.
Connecting with people who have the same diagnosis can give a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are just two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and reach their goals in their lives. They can also get assistance 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 keep them focused on tasks such as the well-known wunderlist, and software to keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together remotely.