ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different symptoms than men. Signs of ADHD include forgetfulness, impulsivity and difficulty in 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 undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties organizing your schedule not remembering appointments or paying bills, and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also struggle to maintain relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior such as sexual activity, or be prone to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Certain women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, but they do compensate when they reach high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. This is why they don't seek help until they have difficulty coping in college or the workplace.
Research has shown that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD as compared to males and females. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which can often be unintentional. Girls and women are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they conceal symptoms as mentioned above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD being referred to them because they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that may aggravate their problems.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD which is more prevalent in women and girls include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making careless mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted, either by your thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You aren't able to keep your space or desk tidy and you're easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You're likely to forget important information or events, 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 moving and interrupt others, and you have difficulty listening to what they're saying. You have trouble sitting still, and may fumble or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You're not able to control your emotions, and can you make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD an getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the challenges you face and help you find the resources and support you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis, as it provides a reason for the issues they've struggled to comprehend or blamed on gender bias or poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test for ADHD according to your symptoms and previous experiences, and by using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to assess the severity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your overall performance. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. Also, they could recommend medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which help you focus without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than in boys and men. It is likely that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
Symptoms can vary across the lifespan and can get worse before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues, or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also struggle to complete tasks like paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely the result of neurological, genetic, and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's assigned status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomy and also includes people who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many women and girls aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people recognize their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in women and girls involves a multimodal approach, which includes counseling, therapy, and medication, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can lead to frustration as well as feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They typically have a harder time finding work or retaining jobs due to their lack of organization and poor time management skills, and difficulties in executive functions (planning and organizing prioritizing). The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to maintain or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to look for unhealthy methods of coping with stress, including 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 include atomoxetine and viloxazine and clonidine.
In addition to medication, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form 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 alter the way a person perceives and responds to situations. It could also involve lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is vital to remember that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
It is important for people who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include friends, family members or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups, as they can provide an opportunity to talk about the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and offer tips to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They are vulnerable to impulsive and destructive behaviors that may expose them to harming themselves or others. These can include a lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse, or engagement in sexual activity that is high risk.
A health professional must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is efficient. This includes looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, and the current state of mind. The provider will also examine the person's surroundings to determine whether it's an influence.
There are many resources for people suffering from ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books that can help you manage the condition and help you achieve success in the world of work. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a range of alternatives to treatment.
People with ADHD can find a lot of help and understanding by connecting with other people who share the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are just two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
signs of add in adult women suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who specializes in the treatment of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. There are also apps to help them stay focused on tasks such as the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two individuals who share the same task to work together remotely.