ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. Signs of ADHD include impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these disparities and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulties staying organized not remembering appointments or paying bills and struggling to maintain friendships. Females and females can also have issues with relationships, impulsivity which results in risky behavior, including sexual activity and a tendency towards emotional instability. They are often misunderstood their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD, making it even more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women do not show obvious symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) However, they do make up for it when they start high school, when social and academic demands rise. This is why they do not seek help until they struggle to manage in college or the workplace.
Research has proven that girls and women are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD, in comparison to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be not intentional. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they have different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD referred to them because they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for anxiety or mood disorders and receive unsuitable treatment, which can compound their issues by hiding the root cause.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making careless mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you are unable to sit still. You can't keep your room or desk organized, and you are easily overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You are more likely to forget important dates or events such as your friend's birthday.
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 others are talking about. You may find it difficult to sit still, or twitching in your chair or grab your hair. You're not able to control your emotions and sometimes you make hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you find the help and resources that will help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women find relief in their diagnosis because it gives them an explanation for the challenges they've been struggling to understand, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care professional can test for ADHD by looking at your symptoms and past history, and using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine their intensity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications to help improve your performance. For example your doctor might suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or they may suggest a medication that can help you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which help you focus without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in girls and women than in boys. This is likely due to sexist views as well as the lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself for females.
The symptoms can change throughout life and can worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can increase the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues. It can also make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social commitments. They may also struggle to complete tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This could lead to feelings of discontent with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely to be the result of biological, neurological and environmental influences. Gender refers back to a person's birth status, based on their chromosomes and anatomical features and includes those who identify as females or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Being diagnosed early will help people better understand their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is through multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication counseling, home and work accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD typically have more emotional issues and have a tougher dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood, either by their partners or other people. This can lead to anger and feeling of unfairness. They are also at greater risk of having depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
In most cases, they have greater difficulties obtaining or keeping a job due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties with executive tasks. They are often unable to form meaningful relationships or maintain them due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. adhd in women signs tend to be more self-critical and can cause them to seek out 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 atomoxetine and viloxazine and Clonidine.
Girls and women with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It can also include changes in lifestyle, like eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be done under the supervision of health care experts.
People suffering from ADHD need a solid support system, which may include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support or community groups as these can offer an environment where they can discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips on managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and keep friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be susceptible to impulsive and destructive behaviors that may expose them to harming themselves or others. These could include the lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
adhd traits in women must conduct a thorough examination in order to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, as well as their current mood. The provider will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine whether they could be a cause.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books to help people manage their condition and be successful in their daily lives. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" offers a variety of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can offer a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are two of the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and reach their goals in their lives. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites offering virtual collaboration, like Focusmate which allows people to collaborate with the same task so that they can work remotely.