Are You Getting The Most Out From Your ADHD In Young Women?
ADHD in Young Women Women and girls with ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social cues can make it hard to make friends or maintain relationships. Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women. Symptoms Adhd is characterised by a lack of organization as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women also may have issues in relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and struggle with anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD, making it even difficult to diagnose and treated. Certain women and girls do not show obvious symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school, when academic and social demands increase. As a result, they don't seek help until after they are struggling to cope in college or at work. Research shows that girls and women are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. The gender bias, which is often unintentional, can contribute to this gap. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above, or because they suffer from different symptoms. A woman or girl is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD being referred to them because they are more likely to exhibit mood or emotional symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive treatment that may aggravate their problems. Symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD which is more common in girls and women – are a lack of focus and rushing deadlines or making a mistake at school or work. You are easily distracted by thoughts or other activities happening around you, and you can easily lose track of time when working on tasks. You struggle to stay focused and find it difficult to relax. You have trouble keeping your room or desk tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you visit stores or restaurants. You're likely 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 constantly on the go, interrupt others and have trouble listening to what people are talking about. You might have difficulty sitting still, fidget in your chair or grab your hair. It's difficult to control your emotions and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks. Diagnosis For girls and women with ADHD an accurate diagnosis is key. A clear diagnosis can help you understand the difficulties you are facing and help you find the support and resources you need to feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis could be a lightbulb moment that many girls and women are able to experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation of the difficulties that they have long struggled to comprehend or attributed to sexist biases, miscommunication, or their internalized gender stereotypes. A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking into your symptoms and past history, and using the symptom checklist or questionnaire to gauge their intensity. They will also ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medicines that could help you function better. For example, your doctor may recommend ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication that can help you focus and concentrate. adhd in adult women treatment used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can boost your alertness and attention as well as non-stimulants to help you stay focused without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure. ADHD is diagnosed later in girls and women than in boys. It is likely that sexist views, less access to healthcare, and a misunderstanding of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay. The symptoms can change throughout life and may worsen during, before or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to recognize and treat women and girls with ADHD. For example, impulsivity and inattention can cause the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues. It can also make it hard for people to keep up with work or social engagements. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks such as paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or even doing household chores. This could cause them to feel dissatisfied with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression. The differences between men and women in ADHD are likely to be due in part to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes and anatomical features and also includes people who identify as females males, nonbinary, or men. Treatment Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people recognize their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD in women and girls is to use a multimodal approach that includes counseling, therapy, and medication in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle strategies. Girls and women with ADHD typically have more emotional problems and a harder time navigating relationships than boys. They might be misunderstood by romantic partners or others and this can lead to anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression. They often have more difficulty finding work or maintaining jobs because of their disorganization, poor time management skills, and difficulties with 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 which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol and alcohol consumption. 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 include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera®), viloxazine (Qelbree®) and clonidine (Kapvay®). In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy which is a type of therapy that seeks to change the way someone thinks and behaves. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is focused on changing the way a person interprets or responds to situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as eating a healthy diet, 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 suffering from ADHD should have a strong support system that could include family members, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support or community groups, as these can provide a safe space to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and share advice on how to deal with it effectively. Resources Girls with ADHD have a hard time making and maintaining friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They can be more susceptible to destructive and impulsive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activities. A health professional must conduct a thorough examination in order to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan effective. This includes looking at the patient's medical and mental health history, and current mood. The provider will also look at the person's surroundings to see if they are a factor. There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can assist people with their condition and find success in life. “The Queen of Distraction” by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls who suffer from ADHD confront. “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 people suffering from ADHD. People with ADHD will find plenty of help and understanding by interacting with other people who have the same diagnosis. Many websites and social media platforms offer support for those with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills. Many people with ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in the treatment of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Many people also use apps to help them stay focused on their work such as the well-known wunderlist, and software to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It connects people with the same task together remotely.