ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different signs than boys. Symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social cues can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these variations and the bias in referral to treatment cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterized by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity which results in risky behavior, including sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional instability. They may be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Certain women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then compensate when they enter high school, when social and academic expectations rise. As a result, they don't seek help until after they have difficulty coping in college or in the workplace.
Research shows that girls and women are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD as compared to males and females. This is due to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Women and girls are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Women and girls are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD because of their tendency to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, like anger, rage and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which may exacerbate their problems by masking the root causes.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD which is more common in women and girls include difficulty staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making a mistake at school or at work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time while working on tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it hard to relax. You struggle to keep your desk or space clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or stores. You are prone to overlook important details or important dates, 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 always moving, you interrupt others and have trouble listening to what they are saying. You might have difficulty sitting still, or twitching in your chair or tuck your hair. You're unable to manage your emotions and may blurt out hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
adhd traits in women is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. A correct diagnosis can help you understand the issues you face and help you find the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis can be a moment of lightbulb: many women and girls experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for challenges that they've struggled to understand or chalked up to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care professional can determine if you have ADHD by examining your symptoms and history and using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to assess the severity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to help improve your performance. For instance your doctor might suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or suggest a medication to help you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which help you focus without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. It is likely that sexist views, less access to healthcare, and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
The symptoms can be different across the lifespan and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to frustration and misunderstandings with colleagues, romantic partners or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to work or social obligations. They might also have a difficult time to complete tasks like paying bills, finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This can cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental influences. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as females, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. A diagnosis early will help people better understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to employ a multimodal approach that includes therapy, medication counseling, work and home accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and a tougher dealing with relationships. They may be misunderstood by their partners or others and this can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have greater risk of having depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
In most cases, they have greater trouble finding or keeping a job due to their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more critical of themselves and can cause them to look for unhealthy methods of coping, such as excessive drinking and substance 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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine and clonidine.
Women and girls with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It may also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, as well as taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing food items or supplementing with supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
It is important for people who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place which could include friends, family members as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups since they provide an opportunity to talk about the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice on managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They are at risk for reckless and destructive behavior that could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activity.
A doctor must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes looking into the patient's medical and mental health history, as well as the current state of mind. The physician will also assess the person's environment to see whether it's a contributing factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD. These include support groups, websites that offer tools and information, and websites that offer information. There are also books that can assist people with their condition and find success in life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased focus, motivation and performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for people suffering from ADHD.
People who suffer from ADHD can find a lot of support and empathy by connecting with others with the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive functions.
Many adults suffering from 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 find assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Some people use apps, such as the well-known Wunderlist and other software, to monitor their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people with the same job to work together via remote.