ADHD in Young Women

Women and girls with ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. Symptoms like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty understanding social cues can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships.

Unfortunately, these disparities and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.

Signs and symptoms

The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulties staying organized and forgetting appointments, or paying bills, and struggling to maintain friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activity and a tendency to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood by their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD, making it even more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.

Some girls and women and attention deficit disorder don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, and then compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic expectations rise. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties in college or at work.

Research has shown that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for ADHD, compared to males and females. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Particularly, women and girls are less likely to receive a diagnosis to a specialist for ADHD because they tend to conceal their symptoms, as described above, or because they present with different kinds of symptoms than males.

A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD referred to them because they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive treatment that could exacerbate their problems.

Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missed deadlines, or careless mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. It is difficult to keep your room or desk tidy and you're easily overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. It is easy to forget important dates or events like the birthday of your 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 on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what people are saying. You have trouble being still and you may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You are unable to manage your emotions and may make snide remarks, embarrassing or off-color.

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult, and allow you to find the help and resources that will assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis could also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women feel relief from their diagnosis, since it provides a reason for the issues they've been unable to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.

A health care professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking into your symptoms and history as well as using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to gauge their intensity. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that will help you function better. For instance your doctor might suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or they may recommend a medication that will help you focus and concentrate. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that increase your alertness and focus or non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls than in boys. This is likely due to sexist beliefs, an inaccessibility to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself in females.

The symptoms can vary throughout life and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can cause problems with the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity may cause confusion and frustration with colleagues, romantic partners or even friends. It can also make it difficult for them to meet commitments to social or work. They may also struggle to complete tasks such as paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing household chores. This can cause them to be unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.

The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person gets at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as women or men, or even non-binary.

Treatment

Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ a multimodal approach that includes medication, therapy, counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle plans.

Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have more emotional issues and have a difficult dealing with relationships. They may be misunderstood, either by their romantic partners or by other people. This can cause frustration and feelings of unfairness. They also have an increased risk of developing co-occurring anxiety and depression.

They typically have a harder time finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize and poor time management skills and problems with executive tasks (planning or organizing prioritizing). Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to maintain or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking and drugs.

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 (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).

Women and girls who suffer from ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way that a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It could also include taking on lifestyle changes, for example, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, as well as taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health experts.

People who suffer from ADHD must have a strong support system, which may include family members, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, since they can offer a safe place to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively.

Resources

Girls with ADHD struggle with making and maintaining friendships. They might also be suffering from low self-esteem or depression. They are vulnerable to destructive and impulsive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.

A medical professional must conduct a thorough examination in order to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is effective. This includes looking into the person's medical and mental health history, as well as the current state of mind. The provider will also examine the person's environment to see whether it's an influence.

There are many resources for those suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites offering tools and information, as well as websites that provide information. There are many books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in everyday life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How famous women with adhd with ADHD can overcome chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book "Natural Treatment for adult female adhd symptoms ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a variety of alternative treatment options.

Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can provide a lot help and understanding. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide assistance for those suffering from ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive functions.

Many people with ADHD could benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek assistance from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Many people use apps, like the popular Wunderlist and other software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that offer virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which allows people to collaborate who are working on the same task so that they can work remotely.