ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD may exhibit different signs. For example, symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments and forgetting appointments, or paying bills and struggling to maintain friendships. Women and girls may also struggle to maintain relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD making it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but compensate when they enter high school where academic and social demands increase. This is why they do not seek help until they struggle to manage in college or in the workplace.
Research has proven that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which can often be not intentional. Women and girls are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their tendency to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as anger, rage and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for anxiety or mood disorders and to receive inappropriate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by masking the underlying causes.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or by 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 have trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. It is easy 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 have trouble listening to what people are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or react on impulse like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You can't control your emotions and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD, accurate diagnosis is key. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to find the help and resources that can assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis could be a moment of lightbulb that many girls and women are able to experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for challenges that they've been unable to understand or chalked up to sexist bias 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 determine the severity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will improve your functioning. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. They may also recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than in men and boys. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare, and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
Symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can get worse in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with romantic partners, colleagues or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They might also have a difficult time to complete tasks such as paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or even doing household chores. This can lead people to feel unhappy with their lives, and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as women, men or non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people know their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD in women and girls is to use a multimodal approach that includes counseling, therapy and medication as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a difficult dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause anger and feelings of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety co-occurring.
They are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize and poor time management skills and problems with executive tasks (planning, organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. adhd symptoms in women test tend to be more critical of themselves, which can lead them to seek unhealthy ways to cope like 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 include atomoxetine, viloxazine and Clonidine.
Girls and women with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that aims to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It can also include changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD need a solid support system, which may include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in community or support groups, as these can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often struggle to form and keep friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They could be vulnerable to impulsive and destructive behaviors that may expose them to harming themselves or others. These could include insufficient security measures and alcohol or drug abuse, or engagement in sexual activities that are high risk.
A health professional must perform a thorough evaluation in order to identify the root of the problem and formulate a treatment plan that is effective. This includes a person's mental and medical background as well as their current mood. The doctor will also take a look at the person's surroundings to see whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from 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 everyday life. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for people with ADHD.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can give a lot of support and empathy. A variety of websites and social media platforms offer assistance for those suffering from ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parenting group. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to learn new behavioral techniques and achieve their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist that specializes in treating mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. There are also apps to keep them focused on their work, such as the popular wunderlist, and software to monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people with the same task to work together remotely.