ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different signs than boys. The symptoms include impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals may make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
treatment for adhd in women is characterized by a lack of organization, forgetting appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls can also experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities and a tendency to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD making it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women do not show obvious symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), but overcome it when they enter high school where academic and social demands increase. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties in college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which can often be unintentionally. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD because they tend to hide their symptoms as described above or they present with different types of symptoms than males.
Girls and women also 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 men to be diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more common among women and girls. It manifests as lack of concentration, missed deadlines, or careless mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you and you can easily lose track of time while working on tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You aren't able to keep your space or desk tidy and you're 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 frequently on the go, interrupt others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, or twitching in your chair, or even grab your hair. inattentive add in women 're not able to control your emotions, and can blurt out hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls suffering from ADHD. A proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging and enable you to find the help and resources to make you feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment for many women and girls. are able to experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for problems that they have long struggled to comprehend or attributed to sexist bias, miscommunication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider will test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and past symptoms, and also by using a symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of these symptoms. They will also ask questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your overall performance. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Or, they may suggest medication that helps you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, which can boost your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants that help you stay on task without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is often diagnosed much later than boys and men. It is likely that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may become worse when, prior to or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can heighten the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with their work or social obligations. They may also struggle to complete tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives, and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as females or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people recognize their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD for girls and women involves a multimodal approach, which includes counseling, therapy and medication as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Girls and women with ADHD have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They may be misunderstood by their partners or others which can cause frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of developing co-occurring depression and anxiety.
Often, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping an employment due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty in executive functions. Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope 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, viloxazine, and clonidine.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way an individual thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It could also include making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health care professionals.
It is important for people who suffer from ADHD to have a support system in place, which can include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, as they can offer a safe place to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often struggle to form and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They can be more susceptible to destructive and impulsive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These behaviors can include insufficient safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is effective. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The doctor will also take a look at the person's surroundings to see if they are a factor.
There are a variety of resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are many books that can help you manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. For example, "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 confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve Focus, Motivation, and Performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD can find a lot of help and understanding by connecting with others who share the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new ways of coping and achieve goals in their lives. They can also seek advice from a therapist who is specialized in the treatment of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their tasks like the well-known wunderlist, and software to track their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, like Focusmate, which pairs people who are working on the same task so they can work together from a distance.