ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. The symptoms include impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals may make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these disparities and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterized by a lack of organization in which people forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some women and girls do not show obvious symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but compensate when they enter high school where academic and social demands increase. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be unintentional. In particular, females and girls are less likely to be referred to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to hide their symptoms as described above, or because they present with different symptoms than males.
A woman or girl is less likely to have ADHD diagnosed because they are more likely to show emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety and receive inappropriate treatment that can exacerbate their issues.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD that are more prevalent in girls and women - are a lack of focus and rushing deadlines or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other things going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time while doing your work. You have trouble sitting still and find it hard to relax. It is difficult to keep your room or desk tidy and you're easily overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. You are more likely to forget important events or details, like the birthday of your friend.
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 on the move and interrupt others, and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You may find it difficult to sit still, fumbling around in your chair, or even grab your hair. You can't control your emotions, and you may make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls suffering from ADHD. A proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are difficult and help you seek the support and resources that can help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment: many women and girls find their diagnosis to be an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for challenges that they have long struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias, miscommunication, or their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test for ADHD according to your symptoms and past tests, using the symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of these symptoms. They'll also inquire about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications to improve your overall performance. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that improve your attention and alertness, or nonstimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than boys and men. It is possible that sexist views, less access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
Symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can increase frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues. It can also make it hard for them to keep up with their work or social engagements. They may also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives and exacerbate mental issues like depression or anxiety.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due in part to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status that a person is given at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes people who identify themselves as women, men or non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal approach, which includes medication, therapy and counseling as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood, either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can cause anger and feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
adhd traits in women are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize, poor time management skills and problems in executive functions (planning, organizing, prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more critical of themselves and can cause them to seek unhealthy ways to cope, such as 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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine, and Clonidine.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to alter the way a person interprets and responds to situations. It may also include changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
It is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to have a support system in place that includes friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in community or support groups, since they can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include a lack of security measures or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in sexual activity that is high risk.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan that is efficient. This includes a person's mental and medical history as well as their mood. The provider will also take a look at the environment around the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation, and performance with or without medication" provides a variety of alternatives to treatment.
People who suffer from ADHD can get a lot of support and empathy by connecting with others with the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are just two of the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to develop new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Many people use apps, such as the well-known Wunderlist and other software, to monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together via remote.