Three Reasons Why 3 Reasons Why Your ADHD In Young Women Is Broken (And How To Repair It)

ADHD in Young Women Girls and women with ADHD typically have different symptoms than boys. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty understanding social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends. These biases and differences in treatment recommendations contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment in young women. Signs and symptoms Adhd is characterized by the inability to plan, forgetting appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also have difficulty maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which could lead to risk-taking behaviors, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional instability. They can be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it harder to identify and treat. Some girls and women do not exhibit obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) however, they compensate when they enter high school, when academic and social demands increase. In the end, they do not seek help until they struggle to manage in college or the workplace. Research shows that girls and women are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD, compared to males and females. This is due to gender bias, which can 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 woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders and receive unsuitable treatment, which can compound their issues by masking the root cause. Inattentional ADHD is more common among women and girls. It manifests itself as a lack of focus, missing deadlines, or committing a few mistakes at school or work. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other activities going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time when working on tasks. You find it difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You are having trouble keeping your desk or room tidy and neat. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or stores. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events, for example, birthdays of 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 busy, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, fidget in your chair or tuck your hair. You are unable to control your emotions, and can make snide or embarrassing remarks. Diagnosis Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A clear diagnosis can help you understand the challenges you face and help you locate the resources and support you need to feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment that many girls and women find their diagnosis to be an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for problems that they've been unable to understand or chalked up to sexist bias or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes. A health care provider can test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and history, and by using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They will also inquire about how your symptoms impact your daily life. adult adhd symptoms women can recommend strategies and medications that can help you function better. For instance your doctor might suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or recommend a medication that will help you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can boost your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which can help you stay on task without affecting your heart rate or blood pressure. ADHD in women and girls is often diagnosed much later than men and boys. This delay is likely due to sexist views, a lack of access to health care and misperceptions about how the disorder manifests itself for females. The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and can worsen during, before or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can increase the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic partners, friends, or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with their work or social engagements. They might also have difficulty to complete tasks such as paying bills as well as completing school or work assignments, or even doing household chores. This can lead to feelings of discontent with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression. The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are most likely to be due in part to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to a person's birth status in accordance with their chromosomes as well as their anatomy, and includes people who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men. Treatment Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into 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 women and girls involves a multimodal approach, which includes counseling, therapy, and medication as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans. Women and girls with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by romantic partners or others which can cause frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They are also at greater risk of having depression and anxiety co-occurring. Often, they have more difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job due to their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulties in executive functions. They are often unable to form meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social issues and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more critical of themselves and can cause them to seek out unhealthy methods of coping like excessive drinking and drug use. 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 atomoxetine and viloxazine, and clonidine. In addition to medication for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way someone thinks and behaves. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It can also involve taking on lifestyle changes, for example, eating a balanced diet regularly exercising and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be undertaken under the supervision of health experts. It is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include family members, friends or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is recommended that they take part in support or community groups, as these can offer a safe place to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share advice on how to manage it effectively. Resources Girls who suffer from ADHD have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They are vulnerable to destructive and impulsive behaviors which could put them at risk of harming themselves or others. These can include a lack of security measures or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in high risk sexual activity. A health care provider must conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and create a treatment plan that is efficient. This includes the patient's medical and mental background as well as their mood. The provider will also examine the person's surroundings to determine whether it's a contributing factor. There are numerous resources for people suffering from ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books to assist people with their condition and find success in life. For example, “The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Regain Focus” by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD “Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance with or without medication” provides a variety of alternative treatments. People with ADHD can find a lot of support and empathy by connecting with others who have the same diagnosis. Many websites and social media platforms offer 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 organization and executive function skills. Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek assistance from a therapist that specializes in treating mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or ADHD. There are also apps to keep them focused on their tasks such as the well-known wunderlist, and software to monitor their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites that provide virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate which allows people to collaborate with the same task to work from a distance.