ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD often exhibit different signs than boys. The symptoms include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women may struggle to maintain relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risky behavior which includes sexual activity or be prone to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which may co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat.
Some women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties at college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD as compared to boys and men. Gender bias, which is usually not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to camouflage their symptoms, as previously mentioned or they present with different symptoms than males.
Females and females are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their problems.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD - which is more common in girls and women - are a lack of focus and rushing deadlines or making a mistake at school or work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you and you frequently lose track of time when doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. You are having trouble keeping your desk or room tidy and neat. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You're likely to forget important details or events, such as a 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 constantly on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what others are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or act on impulse like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You are unable to manage your emotions and may you make hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to seek the support and resources to assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls feel relief from their diagnosis, since it provides an explanation for the challenges they've struggled to comprehend or blamed on discrimination against women or poor communication or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor can test for ADHD based on your symptoms and previous experiences tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications to help improve your overall performance. Your doctor may recommend methods of organization, such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Also, they could recommend medication that can help you concentrate and focus. Highly recommended Resource site used to treat ADHD could include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, or non-stimulants that help you focus without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls than in boys. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare, and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can be different across the years and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends, or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social commitments. They may also be struggling to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This can cause them to be unhappy with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are likely to be due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomy and includes those who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Being diagnosed early will help people better understand their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD for girls and women is to use a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy and counseling in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They may be misunderstood by romantic partners or others and this can lead to anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
They often have more difficulty finding work or maintaining jobs due to their inability to organize in their lives, lack of time management skills, and difficulties in executive functions (planning, organizing, prioritizing). The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to maintain or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical and can cause them to seek unhealthy methods of coping with stress, including excessive drinking and drug 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 and viloxazine, and clonidine.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual perceives and responds to situations. It may also involve taking on lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that cutting out foods or supplementing with supplements should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have an established support system, which can include family members, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support groups or community groups, since they can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and offer tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They may also suffer from depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include insufficient security measures and alcohol or drug abuse, or engagement in sexual activity that is high risk.
A doctor should do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This involves looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as current mood. The provider will also examine the environment of the patient to determine whether it's an influence.
There are a variety of resources available to people suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites that provide tools and information, as well as websites that offer information. There are also books to assist people with their condition and achieve success in their daily lives. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
People with ADHD can find a lot of support and empathy by interacting with other people who share the same diagnosis. Many websites and social media platforms offer support for people with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive function skills.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also get help from a therapist that specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. There are apps, like the popular Wunderlist and other software, to track their daily activities. There are many websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It connects individuals who share the same job to work together via remote.