ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than men. Symptoms such as forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these differences and a bias in treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by a lack of organization as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women may struggle to maintain relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that can co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat.
Some women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then compensate when they reach high school, when social and academic expectations rise. This is why they do not 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 in comparison to boys and men. Gender bias, which is usually not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. In particular, females and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as described above or because they are diagnosed with different kinds of symptoms than males.
Girls and women also are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD because of their tendency to show mood or emotional symptoms, such as anger, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for depression or anxiety and receive treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more common in women and girls include trouble staying focused, missing deadlines, or making careless mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you and you frequently lose track of time while doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and have difficulty sitting still. You are having trouble keeping your desk or room clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You tend to forget important details 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 you are constantly interrupting others and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You are unable to control your emotions, and can make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls suffering from ADHD. A clear diagnosis can help you understand the difficulties you are facing and help you locate the resources and support you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women are relieved by their diagnosis, since it gives them an explanation for the difficulties they've been struggling to understand or blamed on gender bias or poor communication or their own gender stereotypes.
A medical specialist can test for 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 impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Or, they may suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which help you stay on task without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls, but not in boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
The symptoms can be different across the years and can become more severe before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause frustration and misunderstandings with colleagues, romantic partners or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep commitments to social or work. They might also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills, finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This could lead to feelings of discontent with their lives and exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomical features, and includes people who identify as women, men, or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people recognize their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to employ a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and work accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a difficult dealing with relationships. They may be misunderstood, either by their partners or other people. This can lead to anger and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
Often, they have more difficulty obtaining or maintaining an employment because of their lack of organization and poor time management. adult adhd in women have difficulties with executive functions. Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope, 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.
Girls and women with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and acts. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which concentrates on changing how the person perceives or reacts to situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be done under the supervision of health professionals.
People who suffer from ADHD should have a strong support system, which may include family members, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. It is recommended that they join in support or community groups, as they can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and offer tips on how to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to destructive, impulsive behavior which could put them or others at risk. These can include the lack of security measures and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
A health care provider must perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The physician will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine whether they could be a cause.
There are many resources available for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are books that can help you manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems 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 without or with medication" provides a variety of alternative treatments.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and empathy. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide support for those with ADHD, including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational skills.
Many people with 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 that specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Some people use apps, like the popular Wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites offering virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which connects people with the same task to work via remote.