ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit different signs. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these disparities and a bias in treatment referral contribute to the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd are difficulty keeping track of appointments not remembering appointments or paying bills, and having trouble maintaining friendships. Females and females can also experience difficulty in relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD making it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. Gender bias, which is often not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD or similar disorders, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Females and females are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their propensity to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, like anger, rage, and irritability. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for depression or anxiety and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their problems.
Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent for girls and women. It manifests as a lack of concentration, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You can't keep your room or desk tidy and you can easily become overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You're likely to forget important details or important events, like 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 in motion, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are saying. You may have trouble sitting still, fidget in your chair, or even grab your hair. You are unable to manage your emotions and may you make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls suffering from ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are challenging and help you find the help and resources that can make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the challenges they've been unable to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and past tests, using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to determine the severity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medicines that could improve your functioning. For example your doctor may suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or they may recommend a medication that will help you concentrate and focus. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that can increase your alertness and focus, or nonstimulants that aid in staying focused without increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in girls and women than in boys. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and can worsen during, before, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with colleagues, romantic partners or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also struggle to complete tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes people who identify themselves as women or men, or even non-binary.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is through multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD typically have more emotional problems and a harder dealing with relationships than males. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration as well as feelings of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They often have more difficulty finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize in their lives, lack of time management skills and problems in executive functions (planning and organizing, prioritizing). They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping, such as 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual perceives and responds to situations. It may also include lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family members, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support or community groups, as they can provide an opportunity to talk about the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice for managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD have a hard time making and maintaining friendships. They might also be suffering from low self-esteem or depression. They could be at risk for impulsive and destructive behaviors that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A medical professional should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes looking into the person's medical and mental health history, and the current state of mind. The provider will also look at the environment around the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources available for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. 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 overcome chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve focus, motivation and performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for people suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can offer a lot of help and understanding. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are just two of 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 help you develop organizational and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from 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 seek assistance from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their work such as the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. inattentive add in women allows two people with the same task together via remote.