ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD may show different symptoms. Signs of ADHD include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals may make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these variations and a bias in treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Females and females can also experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then compensate as they enter high school, when academic and social expectations increase. In the end, they don't seek help until after they have difficulty coping in college or the workplace.
Research shows that women and girls are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD as compared to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. Women and girls are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they camouflage symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as anger, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their problems.
Inattentive ADHD is more common for girls and women. It manifests as lack of concentration, missed deadlines, or careless mistakes in school or at work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you frequently lose track of time when doing tasks. You are unable to sit still and find it hard to relax. You have trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and neat. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events 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 moving you are constantly interrupting others and have trouble listening to what they are saying. You might have difficulty sitting still, fumbling around in your chair or tuck your hair. It's difficult to manage your emotions, and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. Getting a proper diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are challenging, and allow you to get the help and support that can help you feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis could be a moment of clarity for many women and girls. 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 blamed to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test for ADHD based on your symptoms and past, and by using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medicines that could improve your functioning. For instance, your doctor may recommend organizational methods like planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which can help you focus without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than it is in men and boys. It is likely that sexist views, less access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may become worse in the midst of, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, colleagues or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to keep work or social commitments. They may also struggle to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as women or men, or even non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in women and young girls is through multimodal treatment that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often have more emotional problems and a harder time navigating relationships than boys. They may be misunderstood by their partners or others which can cause frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of suffering from depression and anxiety.
They typically have a harder time finding work or retaining jobs due to their lack of organization, poor time management skills and difficulty with executive tasks (planning, organizing, prioritizing). They often have difficulty forming meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical, which can cause them to look for unhealthy ways of coping with stress, including excessive alcohol and drugs.
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.
In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person interprets and responds to situations. It could also involve changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should be done under the supervision of health experts.
It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include friends, family members as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, as they 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 often struggle to form and maintain friendships. They might also be suffering from low self-esteem or depression. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activity.
signs of add in adult women should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes looking into the patient's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The provider will also examine the environment around the person to determine whether they could be a cause.
There are numerous sources for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can aid people in managing their condition and find success in their daily lives. 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 have to face. "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 people suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with other people with the same diagnosis could give a lot of support and compassion. Many websites and social media platforms offer assistance for those suffering from ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new behavioral strategies and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also find assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Many people use apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that provide virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate, which pairs people working on the same project so that they can work from a distance.