ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit different signs. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these disparities and the bias in referral to treatment result in the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by the inability to plan as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also have trouble maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They may be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which may co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it harder to identify and treat.
Some women and girls do not show obvious symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD), but overcome it when they enter high school, where academic and social demands increase. This is why they do not seek help until they are struggling to cope in college or in the workplace.
Research has shown that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD as compared to men and boys. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which can often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be referred for ADHD due to their propensity to show mood or emotional symptoms, like irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely to receive referrals for mood disorders or anxiety and to receive inappropriate treatment, which can compound their problems by masking the underlying causes.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more common in girls and women. It manifests as a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or careless mistakes at 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 when doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You struggle to keep your room or desk tidy and neat. You can easily get overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or shops. You are prone to forget important information or events, such as birthday celebrations for 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 frequently busy, interrupting others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, or twitching in your chair or grab your hair. You are unable to manage your emotions and may blurt out hurtful, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. Accurate diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to get the help and support that can make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women find relief in their diagnosis because it provides an explanation for the difficulties they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on sexist bias or poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider will test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and past tests, using the symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications to improve your performance. For example your doctor might suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or they may suggest a medication to help you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can boost your alertness and attention or non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than it is in males and boys. This is likely due to sexist views and the lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can vary throughout life, and they can worsen before, during, and after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause anger and miscommunications with romantic partners, colleagues or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also have difficulty to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can cause them to feel dissatisfied with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes as well as their anatomy, and includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. A diagnosis early can help people understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in young and female girls is through multimodal treatment that includes medication, therapy counseling, work and home accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a tougher time navigating relationships than boys. They might be misunderstood by their partners or others which can cause anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They typically have a harder time finding work or retaining jobs due to their inability to organize, poor time management skills and difficulty in executive functions (planning or 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 and can cause them to seek 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 atomoxetine, viloxazine and Clonidine.
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person interprets and responds to situations. It could also include making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should only be undertaken under the supervision of health professionals.
It is essential for those with ADHD to have an established support system that includes family members, friends or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is also recommended they join community or support groups as these can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges associated with living with ADHD, and share tips to manage it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They could be at risk for destructive and impulsive behaviors which could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These behaviors can include a lack of security measures and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activity that is high risk.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment in order to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. add symptoms in women includes looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The physician will also look at the environment around the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books to assist people with their condition and achieve success in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to increase focus, motivation, and performance with or without medication" provides a range of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with people who have the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and empathy. Numerous websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that teach organizational and executive function skills.
Many adults with ADHD can benefit by working with a counselor or coach to develop new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who specializes in the treatment of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Some people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and other software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a range of websites that provide virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which connects people working on the same project so they can work together from a distance.