7 Things About ADHD In Young Women You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
ADHD in Young Women Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit different signs. Symptoms such as inattention, forgetfulness and difficulty in understanding social signals may make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships. Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women. Symptoms Adhd is characterized by a lack of organization as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also struggle to maintain relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risk-taking behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They can be misunderstood and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders, which may be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat. Some girls and women don't display obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then they compensate when they enter high school, where academic and social expectations increase. In the end, they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or the workplace. Research shows that women and girls are consistently misdiagnosed and under-identified as having ADHD, in comparison to men and boys. The gender bias, which is usually not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD due to the fact that they hide symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms. A woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD diagnosed due to the fact that they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for depression or anxiety and receive treatment that may aggravate their problems. The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD which is more common in women and girls include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or the events that happen around you. You also lose track of time while doing your work. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You can't keep your room or desk organized and you can easily become overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You are prone to forgetting important events or details, such as your friend's birthday. 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 are constantly interrupting others and are unable to listen to what they are saying. You have a hard time sitting still, and may fumble or do something out of a sense of compulsion like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions, and you may make hurtful or embarrassing comments. Diagnosis For women and girls with ADHD An the right diagnosis is essential. Getting a proper diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are challenging and enable you to get the help and support that can help you feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an “lightbulb” moment. Many women and girls find relief in their diagnosis, since it provides a reason for the challenges they've struggled to comprehend, or chalked up with discrimination against women, poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes. A medical professional can test for ADHD by looking at your symptoms and history and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to assess their intensity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medicines that could help you function better. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists and post-it notes. Also, they could suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that boost your alertness and attention or non-stimulants that aid in staying focused without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure. ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls than in boys. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs, an inaccessibility to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests in females. Symptoms can vary across the years and can become more severe in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can cause frustration and misunderstandings with colleagues, romantic partners or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to meet commitments to work or social obligations. They might also have a difficult time to finish tasks like paying bills as well as working on school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can cause a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives and may exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. The differences between men and women in ADHD are likely to be due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status a person receives at birth based upon 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 are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Being diagnosed early can help people understand their symptoms and find appropriate treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD in women and girls involves a multimodal strategy including counseling, therapy and medication, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle strategies. Girls and women with ADHD are often more prone to emotional problems and a harder to navigate relationships than men. They might be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people which can cause anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a greater risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression. They often have more difficulty finding work or maintaining jobs due to their inability to organize and poor time management skills and difficulty with executive tasks (planning or organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful relationships or maintain them due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which can lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping with stress, including excessive alcohol and drugs. The most common medications used to treat ADHD in adults are stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall®) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®). Non-stimulants are atomoxetine, viloxazine, and clonidine. In addition to medication, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy 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 only be undertaken under the supervision of health professionals. People who suffer from ADHD should have a strong support system. high functioning adhd in women could include family members, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, as these can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to deal with it effectively. Resources Girls who suffer from ADHD have a hard time creating and maintaining friendships. They may also suffer with depression or low self-esteem. They could be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors which could put them or others at risk. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity. A medical professional should conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The physician will also assess the person's environment to see whether it's a contributing factor. There are many resources for people suffering from ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. For example, “The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus” by Terry Matlen addresses the specific issues that girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's PhD book “Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance without or with medication” provides a range of alternative treatment options. Connecting with others with the same diagnosis could provide a lot help and understanding. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer assistance to people suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps and day programs that help you develop organizational and executive function skills. Many adults with ADHD could benefit from working with a professional counselor or coach to learn new behavioral techniques and achieve their goals. They can also seek advice from a therapist who specializes in treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. Some people also use apps to help them stay focused on their tasks like the well-known wunderlist, and software to track their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that offer virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which allows people to collaborate with the same task so they can work together from a distance.