ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD may show different symptoms. Signs of ADHD include forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these variations and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in women who are young.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties staying organized, forgetting appointments or paying bills, and struggling to maintain friendships. Women and girls may also have difficulty maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which may co-exist 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 elementary school or middle school, but they do compensate as they enter high school, when social and academic expectations rise. They don't seek assistance 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 males and females. Gender bias, which is typically unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. Women and girls are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they hide symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for anxiety or mood disorders and to receive inappropriate treatment, which may exacerbate their problems by masking the underlying causes.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD - which is more common for women and girls - include difficulty staying focused and rushing deadlines or making a mistake at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other things happening around you and you can easily lose track of time when doing your work. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You have trouble keeping your room or desk clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events, like the birthday of your 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 constantly on the go, interrupt others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are saying. You might have difficulty sitting still, or twitching in your chair, or even grab your hair. You can't control your emotions and you could make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to get the help and support to help you feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women find relief in their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the difficulties they've struggled to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias or poor communication or internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking into your symptoms and background, and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medicines that could help you function better. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Also, they could recommend medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants that help you focus without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is usually diagnosed later than boys and men. This delay is likely due to sexist views and the lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself for females.
The symptoms can change throughout life and may become worse during, before, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with their work or social commitments. They may also be struggling to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can cause a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as anxiety or depression.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are likely to be due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and includes those who identify as women, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to use multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD have more emotional issues and a tougher to navigate relationships. They are often misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration as well as feelings of unfairness. They also have greater risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
Often, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping a job because of their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulty with executive tasks. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social issues 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 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 the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that seeks to change the way someone perceives and responds to situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health care experts.
People who suffer from ADHD need a solid support system that could include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, as they can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and offer tips on how to deal with it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD struggle with making and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These could include the lack of safety precautions, drug or alcohol misuse, or engagement in high risk sexual activity.
A medical professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes looking into the person's medical and mental health history, as well as the current state of mind. The physician will also take a look at the environment around the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are many resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example, addresses the specific challenges 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 an array of alternative therapies for people suffering from ADHD.
People with ADHD can get a lot of help and understanding by connecting with other people with the same diagnosis. browse this site of websites and social media platforms offer assistance for those suffering from ADHD, including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and reach their goals in their lives. They can also seek advice from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on their tasks, such as the popular 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 allows two people who have the same task to work together remotely.