ADHD in Young Women

Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different signs than boys. The symptoms of impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty understanding social cues can make it difficult for them to make friends or sustain relationships.

Unfortunately, these disparities and the bias in referral to treatment contribute to the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.

Symptoms

Adhd is characterised by an inability to organize as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which could lead to risk-taking behaviors, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional turbulence. They can be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that can co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.

Certain add women and girls do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school, when social and academic demands rise. As a result, they don't seek help until after they have difficulty coping in college or in the workplace.

Research has shown that girls and women are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD in comparison to men and boys. This is due to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD or similar disorders, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms.

Women and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD because of their tendency to display mood-related or emotional symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for depression or anxiety and receive inappropriate treatment that can exacerbate their problems.

Inattentional ADHD is more prevalent among women and girls. It manifests as lack of concentration, missed deadlines, or making mistakes in school or at work. You are easily distracted, either by your own thoughts or by the things that occur around you. You also lose track of time while doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You have trouble keeping your room or desk clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You are more likely to forget important events or details, 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 moving, you interrupt others and you have difficulty listening to what they're saying. You have trouble sitting still and may fidget or act on impulse like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You can't manage your emotions, and you may make hurtful or embarrassing comments.

Diagnosis

A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls suffering from ADHD. Accurate diagnosis will enable you to understand why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to get the help and support to make you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women feel relief from their diagnosis, as it gives them an explanation for the issues they've struggled to comprehend, or chalked up with gender bias or poor communication, or their own gender stereotypes.

A medical specialist can test for ADHD by examining your symptoms and background as well as using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to assess the severity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that can improve your performance. Your doctor may suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also recommend medication that can help you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that improve your attention and alertness or non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.

ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls, but not in boys. This is likely due to sexist beliefs, the lack of access to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests in females.

The symptoms can change throughout life and may worsen when, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can complicate the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can increase tensions and misunderstandings with romantic partners, friends, or colleagues, and make it difficult for them to keep up with their work or social obligations. They might also have a difficult time to finish tasks like paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or completing household chores. This could lead to feeling dissatisfied with their lives, and can exacerbate mental issues like anxiety or depression.

The sex and gender differences in adhd in women over 50 are likely the result of neurological, genetic and environmental influences. Gender refers back to a person's status at birth according to their chromosomes and anatomy, and includes people who identify as females or men, as well as nonbinary.

Treatment

Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women is to use a multimodal approach that includes counseling, therapy and medication in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle techniques.

Girls and women with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration and feeling of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety co-occurring.

They are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs due to their lack of organization in their lives, lack of time management skills and problems with executive functions (planning, organizing, prioritizing). They often have difficulty forming meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive alcohol 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 the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).

In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy for talking that aims to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way someone reacts to and interprets situations. It could also include making lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that removing foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health care professional.

People suffering from ADHD need a solid support system, which may include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they join in community or support groups, as they can provide a safe environment to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively.

Resources

Girls with ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They could be susceptible to impulsive and destructive behaviors that may put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These behaviors can include insufficient safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.

A doctor must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as current state of mind. The doctor will also look at the person's surroundings to determine whether it's an influence.

There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD, including support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are books that can help you manage the condition and help you achieve success in the world of work. For instance, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos and Regain Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to increase focus, motivation and performance, whether or not you take medication" provides a variety of alternatives to treatment.

People suffering from ADHD will find plenty of help and understanding by connecting with others with the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to people suffering from adhd in women assessment. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organizational and executive functions.

Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and reach their goals in their lives. They can also get help from a therapist that specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people use apps, like the popular Wunderlist and other software, to track their daily activities. There are many websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people who have the same task to work together via remote.