ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. For example, symptoms like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by a lack of organization, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. adhd in women test and women also may be troubled with relationships, impulsivity which leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional instability. They could be misunderstood or suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat.
Some girls and women don't show any obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) However, they do make up for it when they start high school, when social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping at college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above or because they have different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, such as anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely to be referred for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which can compound their problems by masking the underlying causes.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as lack of focus, missing deadlines, or making mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other things going on around you, and you frequently lose track of time when working on tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You are having trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You're easily overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or shops. You are prone to forgetting 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 always moving, you interrupt others and are unable to listen to what they're saying. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or act on impulse like squirming your seat or pulling at your hair. You can't control your emotions and you may make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD An getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A correct diagnosis can help you understand the issues you face and assist you in finding the resources and support you require to feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment: many women and girls find their diagnosis to be an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for problems that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and history tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They'll also ask you questions about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that can improve your functioning. For example your doctor may suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or suggest a medication to aid in concentration and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can boost your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you stay focused without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than males and boys. This is probably due to sexist beliefs, the lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests in females.
The symptoms can be different across the lifespan, and they can worsen before, during, and after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can increase frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues. It can also make it difficult for them to keep up with work or social commitments. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks such as paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This can cause people to feel unhappy with their lives and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are most likely due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's birth status, based on their chromosomes and anatomical features, and includes people who identify as women, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to use a multimodal approach that includes therapy, medication counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships than males. They are often misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can cause anger and feelings of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
Often, they have more trouble finding or keeping an employment because of their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical and can cause them to seek unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive drinking and adolescent 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 an individual thinks and acts. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is focused on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It could also include taking on lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health experts.
It is important for people with ADHD to have a support system in place that includes family members, friends, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support or community groups since they provide a safe place to discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips on managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD often struggle to make and keep friendships. They might also be suffering from low self-esteem or depression. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These can include a lack of security measures and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and formulate an effective treatment plan. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as the current state of mind. The provider will also examine the person's environment to see whether it's an influence.
There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that help people manage their condition and find success in their lives. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. 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 treatments.
People who suffer from ADHD can get a lot of empathy and support by connecting with others who share the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and 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 or day programs that teach organizational and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and achieve goals in their lives. They can also find assistance from a therapist that specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. There are also apps to keep them focused on their tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps track their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two people who have the same job to work together via remote.
