ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty understanding social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these differences and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterized by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also have difficulty maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations rise. They don't seek assistance until they experience difficulties in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD, in comparison to boys and men. Gender bias, which is often unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD because they tend to hide their symptoms as previously mentioned or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to suffer from ADHD being referred to them because they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which can compound their issues by hiding the root cause.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD - which is more prevalent in girls and women - include difficulty staying focused and rushing deadlines or making careless mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other things happening around you and you often lose track of time when doing tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You struggle to keep your desk or space tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You are more likely 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 frequently in motion, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what others are talking about. You may find it difficult to sit still, fumbling around in your chair or tuck your hair. You're not able to manage your emotions and may you make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from adhd assessment for adult women, the right diagnosis is essential. A proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to get the help and support that will help you feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis can be a moment of clarity that many girls and women find their diagnosis to be an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for problems that they have long struggled to comprehend or attributed to sexist bias or miscommunication, or even their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test for ADHD based on your symptoms and past tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of those symptoms. They will also ask questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to improve your functioning. For instance your doctor might suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or recommend a medication that will help you focus and concentrate. The medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can boost your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without affecting the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
adhd adult women treatment in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than it is in men and boys. 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.
The symptoms can be different across the lifespan and can become more severe in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can increase frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with work or social obligations. They might also have a difficult time to finish tasks like paying bills and finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person gets at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as women and attention deficit disorder males, nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in young and female girls is through an approach that is multimodal and includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Girls and women with ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood, either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause anger and feelings of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They typically have a harder time finding work or keeping jobs due to their lack of organization and poor time management skills and problems with executive tasks (planning or organizing, prioritizing). The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to keep or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual perceives and responds to situations. It can also involve making lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that removing food items or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place that includes family members, friends or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is also recommended they join support groups or community groups, as they can provide an environment where they can discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and share advice to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD often struggle to make and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They can be more susceptible to reckless and destructive behavior that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A health care provider should conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental background as well as their current mood. The doctor will also look at the surroundings of the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books to assist people with their condition and find success in their daily lives. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How women with Adhd and depression in women can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation, and performance with or without medication" provides a range of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with other people with the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and compassion. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive function skills.
Many people with ADHD are able to benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also get assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps monitor their daily activities. There are many websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people who have the same task to work together via remote.