What's Holding Back In The ADHD In Young Women Industry?
ADHD in add symptoms in adult women and women with ADHD are often afflicted with different signs than boys. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd are difficulty staying organized, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may have issues in relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities and a tendency to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood by their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression that co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school, where academic and social demands increase. They don't seek assistance until they experience difficulties in college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. Gender bias, which is often unintentionally, can be a factor in this gap. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD due to the fact that they tend to camouflage their symptoms, as previously mentioned or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD being referred to them due to the fact that they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive treatment that may aggravate their issues.
The signs of the inattentive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent for women and girls - include difficulty staying focused and rushing deadlines or making careless mistakes at work or school. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time while working on tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. It is difficult to keep your room or desk tidy and you can easily become overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You tend 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 you are constantly interrupting others and have trouble listening to what they're saying. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. More hints to control your emotions, and you could make hurtful or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD an accurate diagnosis is key. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and help you locate the support and resources you require to feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a moment of lightbulb that many girls and women are able to experience their diagnosis as a relief, giving them an external explanation for problems that they've been unable to understand or chalked up to sexist biases or miscommunication, or even their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care specialist can test for ADHD by looking into your symptoms and past history and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to determine their intensity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications that can improve your overall performance. Your doctor may suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also suggest medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD could include stimulants which can increase your focus and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which can help you stay focused without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. It is likely that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
Symptoms may vary throughout life and may worsen when, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can heighten frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing work or school assignments, or even doing household chores. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are most likely to be due in part to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status a person receives at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as women, men or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people know their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. More hints to treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including counseling, therapy and medication, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Women and girls with ADHD have more emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They might be misunderstood by romantic partners or others which can cause anger and feeling of unfairness. They also have greater risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs because of their disorganization and poor time management skills and problems in executive functions (planning, organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope like 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 the atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. 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 a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is vital to remember that cutting out foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health professional.
It is essential for those with ADHD to have an established support system which could include family members, friends, colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in support or community groups, as these can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips for managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with making and maintaining friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These can include the lack of safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs, or engagement in high risk sexual activity.
A health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan efficient. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as current mood. The physician will also examine 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 that aid people in managing their condition and find success in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD have to face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Performance With or Without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for people with ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of support and empathy. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD, including ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral techniques and achieve their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. There are apps, such as the well-known Wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people with the same task to work together remotely.