ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. The symptoms include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these disparities and a bias in treatment referral contribute to the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by a lack of organization in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and may suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that can co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then compensate when they reach high school, where social and academic expectations rise. As a result, they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or in the workplace.
Research shows that girls and women are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD, compared to boys and men. Gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis to a specialist for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to hide their symptoms as mentioned above or they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD diagnosed because they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders and receive inadequate treatment, which could exacerbate their problems by masking the root cause.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women. It manifests as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you, and you frequently lose track of time while working on tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You are having trouble keeping your room or desk clean and organized. You're easily overwhelmed when you go to stores or restaurants. It is easy to forget important events or details, for example, birthdays of friends.
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 you are constantly interrupting 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 are unable to manage your emotions and may make snide, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD an accurate diagnosis is key. Accurate diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are difficult, and allow you to get the help and support to assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. attention deficit in women and women find relief in their diagnosis, since it provides a reason for the issues they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test for ADHD based on your symptoms and previous experiences symptoms, and also by using the symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Also, they could recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The medications used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can increase your alertness and focus as well as non-stimulants to can help you stay focused, without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is usually diagnosed later than it is in males and boys. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare, and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
Symptoms may vary throughout life and may become worse when, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to meet work or social commitments. They may also be struggling to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, or doing housework. 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 likely due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's birth status according to their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and also 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 the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the most effective treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ an approach that is multimodal and includes therapy, medication counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people and this can lead to anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a greater chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job due to their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulties in executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical, which may lead them to seek out 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 drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that aims to change the way someone perceives and responds to situations. It can also involve taking on lifestyle changes, for example, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, as well as taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that cutting out foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
It is important for people with ADHD to have an established support system which could include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they join in support groups or community groups, as they 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 have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to impulsive and destructive behaviors that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These behaviors include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A health care provider must perform a thorough evaluation in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate a treatment plan that is efficient. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The provider will also examine the person's surroundings to determine whether it's 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 many books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in the world of work. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD confront. "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 people suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and empathy. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that help you develop organizational and executive function skills.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek advice from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Many people use apps, such as the well-known wunderlist and software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which connects people with the same task to work from a distance.