14 Questions You Might Be Insecure To Ask About ADHD In Young Women
ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than men. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships.
These biases and differences in treatment recommendations contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its ineffective treatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd are difficulty organizing your schedule not remembering appointments or making payments, and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may be troubled in relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some women and girls don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, but they do compensate when they enter high school, when academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek assistance until they are having difficulty coping in college or at work.
Research shows that women and girls are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD as compared to males and females. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be not intentional. Women and girls 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 have different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their propensity to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent for girls and women. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or committing a few mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities going on around you, and you frequently lose track of time while doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You are having trouble keeping your desk or space tidy and neat. You're easily overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or stores. It is easy to forget important dates or events for example, birthdays of friends.
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 in motion, interrupting others and have trouble listening to what others are saying. You may find it difficult to sit still, fumbling around in your chair or tuck your hair. It's difficult to manage your emotions, and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD an getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. Accurate diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are challenging and help you get the help and support that can make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls are relieved by their diagnosis, since it gives them an explanation for the challenges they've been struggling to understand or blamed on gender bias or poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care specialist can test for ADHD by looking into your symptoms and history, and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to assess their intensity. They can also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that can improve your overall performance. Your doctor may recommend methods for organizing such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Or, they may recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, or non-stimulants, which help you stay focused without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than it is in males and boys. It is possible that sexist views, less access to healthcare and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can vary across the lifespan, and they can worsen in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. signs and symptoms of adhd in women can make it difficult to diagnose and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with colleagues, romantic partners or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to meet work or social commitments. They may also be struggling to finish tasks like paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives and may exacerbate mental issues like depression or anxiety.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, genetic and environmental influences. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth according to their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and also includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis will help people better understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD for women and young girls is through a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy counseling, home and office accommodations, and lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have more emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships. They may be misunderstood by their partners or others and this can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring depression and anxiety.
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. Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking 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 atomoxetine, viloxazine, and Clonidine.
In addition to medications women and girls with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It can also include changes in lifestyle, like eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is vital to remember that cutting out foods or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
It is important for people who suffer from ADHD to have an established support system, which can include family members, friends or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is also recommended they join community or support groups since they provide an opportunity to talk about the challenges of living with ADHD, and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to form and keep friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They can be more vulnerable to reckless and destructive behavior that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in risky sexual activities.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan that is efficient. This involves looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as their current mood. The doctor will also take a look at the person's surroundings to see whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books to aid people in managing their condition and be successful in their lives. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example, addresses the specific challenges girls who suffer from ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased Focus, Motivation and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can provide a lot help and understanding. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are just two of the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many adults with ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to master new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Highly recommended Resource site use apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are many websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people with the same task to work together via remote.