ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men. For example, symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by an inability to organize, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activity and a tendency towards emotional instability. They may be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with depression or anxiety disorders that can co-occur with ADHD making it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then they compensate when they enter high school, when academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek assistance until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. The gender bias, which is often not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD or similar disorders, either because they hide symptoms as described above or because they have different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them because they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders and receive inadequate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by hiding the root causes.
Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more common for women and girls - include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making a mistake at work or school. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other activities happening around you and you can easily lose track of time when doing your work. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You struggle to keep your desk or room clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You tend to forget important details or important dates, such as birthday celebrations for 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 and interrupt others, and are unable to listen to what they're saying. You may have trouble sitting still, fumbling around in your chair or tuck your hair. You're not able to control your emotions and sometimes you make hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for girls and women with ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are challenging, and allow you to get the help and support to help you feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls feel relief from their diagnosis, as it gives them an explanation for the challenges they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on discrimination against women or poor communication or their own gender stereotypes.
A health care provider will test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and history symptoms, and also by using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to determine the severity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your overall performance. Your doctor may suggest methods of organization, such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. Or, they may recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can boost your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than it is in men and boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
Symptoms can vary across the years and can become more severe in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues, or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain commitments to work or social obligations. They may also struggle to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. This could lead to feelings of discontent with their lives and may exacerbate mental issues like anxiety or depression.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are most likely due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth according to their chromosomes and anatomy and also includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. adult add in women can help people know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder to navigate relationships than men. They might be misunderstood by romantic partners or others, which can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of suffering from anxiety and depression.
They typically have a harder time finding work or retaining jobs due to their inability to organize, poor time management skills, and difficulties with executive functions (planning or organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful friendships or maintain relationships because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive drinking and adolescent 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.
In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to change the way someone reacts to and interprets situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes for example, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD need a solid support system that could include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they join in support or community groups, as these can provide a safe environment to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips for managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with making and keeping friendships. They may also suffer from depression or low self-esteem. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These can include a lack of safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activity that is high risk.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The physician will also assess the environment of the patient to determine whether it's an influence.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books that can help you manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a variety of alternative treatments.
People who suffer from ADHD can get a lot of help and understanding by interacting with other people who share the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are just two of the many websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that help you develop organizational and executive functions.
Many adults 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 find help from a therapist that specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. There are also apps to help them stay focused on tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that offer virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which allows people to collaborate who are working on the same task so that they can work from a distance.