ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys. adhd women test like impulsivity, forgetfulness and difficulty understanding social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these disparities and a bias in treatment referral 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 difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, show impulsivity, which could lead to risk-taking behaviors such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood by their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD, making it even more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Some women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in elementary school or middle school, but they do compensate when they reach high school, when social and academic expectations rise. This is why they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD, compared to boys and men. Gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Girls and women are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they hide symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
Girls and women also are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD due to their propensity to show mood or emotional symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely than men to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Inattentive ADHD is more common in girls and women. It manifests as a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or at work. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other activities happening around you, and you often lose track of time when doing tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it hard to relax. You can't keep your room or desk in order and you can easily become overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You tend to forget important information or important events, like 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 always on the move, you interrupt others and have trouble listening to what they're saying. You have a hard time being still and you may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You're not able to manage your emotions and may make snide, embarrassing or off-color comments.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD an getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A proper diagnosis can help you understand the challenges you face and help you locate the support and resources you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women feel relief from their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the issues they've been struggling to understand, or chalked up with gender bias, poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider will test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and history tests, using an inventory of symptoms or a questionnaire to gauge the intensity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that can improve your performance. For example your doctor may suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or they may suggest a medication that can aid in concentration and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can boost your alertness and attention as well as non-stimulants to aid in staying focused without affecting your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD in girls and women is usually diagnosed later than in boys and men. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs, the lack of access to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests for females.
The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may worsen in the midst of, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause confusion and frustration with romantic partners, colleagues, or even family members. It can also make it difficult for them to maintain work or social commitments. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks like paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or doing housework. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers back to a person's birth status in accordance with their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and also includes people who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better understand their symptoms and discover the most effective treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in girls and women involves a multimodal strategy including counseling, therapy and medication as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle strategies.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to 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 the feeling of unfairness. They also have greater risk of having depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
They often have more difficulty finding work or keeping jobs because of their disorganization in their lives, lack of time management skills, and difficulties in executive functions (planning or organizing, prioritizing). 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 may lead them to look for unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It may also include changes in lifestyle, like eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is crucial to remember that cutting out foods or taking supplements should be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
People with ADHD should have a strong support system. This could include family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is recommended that they join in community or support groups, since they can provide a safe environment to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD struggle with creating and maintaining friendships. They might also be suffering with depression or low self-esteem. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include insufficient security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in sexual activity that is 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 patient's medical and mental background as well as their current state of mind. The provider will also examine the environment of the patient to determine if it's a factor.
There are numerous resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are many books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in everyday life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Enhance Focus, Motivation and Performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers an array of alternative therapies for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis could provide a lot help and understanding. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are just two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit by working with a counselor or coach to develop new strategies for coping and achieving their goals. They can also seek advice from a therapist who is specialized in the treatment of mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on their work like the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It connects individuals who share the same task together remotely.