ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD may exhibit different signs. Symptoms such as forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
These biases and differences in the treatment process result in the incorrect diagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. add adult women and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be prone to emotional turbulence. They could be misunderstood or suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which can co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Certain women and girls do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) however, they make up for it when they start high school, where social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD, in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is typically unintentionally, can be a factor in this disparity. Women and girls are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD being referred to them because they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely to be referred for mood disorders or anxiety and to receive inappropriate treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by masking the root cause.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more prevalent for women and girls - include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You aren't able to keep your space or desk in order and you can easily become overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You are prone to forget important details or important dates, such as the birthday of a friend.
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 have trouble listening to what they are saying. You have a hard time being still and you may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You're unable to control your emotions and sometimes blurt out hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. Getting a proper diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging, and allow you to get the help and support that can assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls find relief in their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the challenges they've been struggling to understand, or chalked up with sexist bias, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking at your symptoms and history, and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to gauge the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medicines that could help you function better. Your doctor may recommend methods of organization such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Also, they could suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that increase your alertness and focus, or nonstimulants that help you stay focused without increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than in boys and men. This is likely due to sexist views and a lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself for females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it difficult for them to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can cause them to be unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiousness.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are likely due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's assigned status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes and anatomical features and includes those who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better know their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including medication, therapy and counseling as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Girls and women with ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships than males. They are often misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can cause frustration as well as a feeling of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety co-occurring.
They often have more difficulty finding work or retaining jobs due to their inability to organize and poor time management skills and difficulty with executive functions (planning, organizing, prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more critical of themselves and this 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 the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy for talking that aims to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to change the way an individual interprets and responds to situations. It could also involve lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items 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 that includes friends, family members or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, since they can provide a safe space to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD have a hard time creating 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 include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes looking into the patient's medical and mental health history, as well as their current mood. The doctor will also take a look at the environment around the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are many books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to increase focus, motivation, and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a range of alternatives to treatment.
People with ADHD can get a lot of help and understanding by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. Numerous websites and social media platforms provide support for those with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parenting group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new behavioral strategies and achieve goals in their lives. They can also find help from a therapist who is specialized in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Many people also use apps to keep them focused on their work such as the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of their daily activities. There are many websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people with the same job to work together via remote.