ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men. For example, symptoms like the inability to focus, forgetfulness, and impulsivity. understanding social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral cause under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also struggle to maintain relationships, show impulsivity, which could lead to risk-taking behaviors such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional instability. They are often misunderstood their peers and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that can co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) However, they do make up for it when they start high school, where social and academic demands are increased. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD in comparison to males and females. Gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be referred for ADHD because of their tendency to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, like anger, rage and depression. They are more likely to be referred for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which could exacerbate their issues by masking the underlying causes.
Inattentive ADHD is more common among women and girls. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time while working on tasks. You find it difficult to relax and have difficulty sitting still. You aren't able to keep your space or desk tidy and you're easily overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You are prone to forget important details or events, such as the birthday of a 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 moving, you interrupt others and are unable to listen to what they are 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
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the issues you face and assist you in finding the support and resources you need to feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment: many women and girls experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for problems that they've been unable to comprehend or blamed to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and history, and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to assess the severity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medicines that could enhance your performance. For example your doctor might suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication to help you concentrate and focus. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that boost your alertness and attention, or nonstimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls, but not in boys. This is probably due to sexist attitudes and a lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests for females.
The symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, colleagues or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to social or work. They may also be struggling to complete tasks such as paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can lead to feelings of discontent with their lives and exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of biological, neurological and environmental influences. Gender is the status that a person is given at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as women males, nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is through a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their romantic partners or other people, which can lead to frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs because of their disorganization, poor time management skills and difficulty with executive tasks (planning or organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive alcohol and drugs.
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 (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication, girls and women with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which concentrates on changing how an individual interprets or responds to situations. It may also include changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking nutritional supplements. It is vital to remember that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People suffering from ADHD must have a strong support system. This could include family members, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, as they can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice for managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be susceptible to impulsive and destructive behaviors which could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activity.
A doctor must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the root cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental background as well as their current state of mind. The physician will also look at the person's surroundings to see if they are a factor.
There are many sources for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are many books that can help you manage the condition and help you achieve success in everyday life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
People who suffer from ADHD can get a lot of support and empathy by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide support for people with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many people with ADHD are able to benefit from working with a counselor or coach to develop new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also get assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. There are also apps to keep them focused on tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are also More inspiring ideas of websites that provide virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate, which pairs people working on the same project so they can work together via remote.