ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. Signs of ADHD include impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
These differences and biases in the treatment process can lead to misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
adhd in women and symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, and 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 volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) however, they make up for it when they start high school, when academic and social demands increase. As a result, they don't seek help until they have difficulty coping in college or in the workplace.
Research shows that girls and women are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD in comparison to men and boys. Gender bias, which is typically unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as described above 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 are more likely to show emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by hiding the root causes.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD which is more common in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused, missing deadlines, or making a mistake at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. You find it difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. You can't keep your room or desk in order, and you are easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. It is easy to forget important events or details, 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 always moving you are constantly interrupting others and you have difficulty listening to what they're saying. You may find it difficult to sit still, or twitching in your chair or tuck your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions and you could make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. Getting a proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you get the help and support that can assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women feel relief from their diagnosis, as it provides a reason for the difficulties they've struggled to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication, or their own gender stereotypes.
A medical professional will test you for ADHD based on your symptoms and past tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medicines that could improve your functioning. For example your doctor may suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or suggest a medication that can aid in concentration and focus. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that boost your alertness and attention, or nonstimulants that can help you stay focused, without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls, but not in boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
Symptoms may vary throughout life and may worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can increase frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends, or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social engagements. They might also have difficulty to complete tasks such as paying bills and finishing work or school assignments, or completing household chores. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's birth status according to their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and also includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD for girls and women involves a multimodal approach, which includes medication, therapy and counseling, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and a tougher to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their partners or others, which can lead to frustration and a feeling that life is unfair. They also have a higher chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
In most cases, they have greater difficulties obtaining or keeping an employment due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty with executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking and alcohol consumption.
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 the atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way the person perceives or reacts 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 only be done under the supervision of health professionals.
People with ADHD need a solid support system. This could include family, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support groups or community groups, as these can offer a safe place to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They could be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These could include a lack of safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The doctor will also examine the person's surroundings to see if they are a factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books that can aid people in managing their condition and achieve success in their lives. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues 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 an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can give a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are just two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that provide support to people with ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit by working with a counselor or coach to master new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in the treatment of mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on their tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps track their daily activities. There are also a range of websites offering virtual collaboration, like Focusmate, which pairs people working on the same project to work via remote.