15 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ignoring ADHD In Young Women
ADHD in Young Women Girls and women with ADHD often exhibit different signs than boys. For example, symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to establish friendships or maintain relationships. Unfortunately, these disparities and the bias in referral to treatment result in the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women. Signs and symptoms Adhd is characterised by an inability to organize in which people forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Women and girls can also experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity which can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activities and a tendency towards emotional volatility. They could be misunderstood or suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can co-occur along with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to identify and treat. Certain women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, but they do compensate when they enter high school, when social and academic expectations are raised. In the end, they don't seek help until they are struggling to cope in college or the workplace. Research shows that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis for ADHD because they are more likely to camouflage their symptoms, as previously mentioned, or because they present with different types of symptoms than males. Girls and women also are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD because of their tendency to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for anxiety or mood disorders and receive inadequate treatment, which could exacerbate their problems by masking the root cause. The signs of the inattentive subtype of ADHD which is more common in girls and women – are a lack of focus in the midst of deadlines, or making a mistake at school or work. You are easily distracted, either by your thoughts or the events that occur around you. You also lose track of time when doing your work. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You can't keep your room or desk in order and you're easily overwhelmed in restaurants or shopping. You're likely to forget important details or important dates, such as a 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 frequently on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what others are talking about. You have a hard time being still and you may fidget or do something out of a sense of compulsion, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You can't control your emotions and you might make snide or embarrassing comments. Diagnosis A clear diagnosis is essential for girls and women with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to find the help and resources that will assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis could also be an “lightbulb” moment. Many women and girls feel relief from their diagnosis because it provides a reason for the issues they've been unable to comprehend, or chalked up with sexist bias or poor communication or internalized gender stereotypes. A health care professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking at your symptoms and history as well as using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to gauge the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications to 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 medications used to treat ADHD include stimulants that can increase your alertness and focus as well as non-stimulants to aid in staying focused without affecting your blood pressure and heart rate. ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than in boys and men. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay. The symptoms can vary throughout life and can get worse in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can increase the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it hard for people to keep up with their work or social obligations. They may also struggle to finish tasks like paying bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can lead them to feel dissatisfied with their lives, and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression. The gender and sex distinctions in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, genetic, and environmental factors. Gender is the status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as females or men, or even non-binary. Treatment Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis will help people better 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 as well as home and work accommodations and lifestyle plans. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD have more emotional issues and have a harder time navigating relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by romantic partners or others, which can lead to frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression. In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining an employment due to their lack of organization, poor time management and difficulty with executive functions. The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to keep or develop meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking 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 include the atomoxetine (Strattera®), viloxazine (Qelbree®) and clonidine (Kapvay®). Girls and women with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and acts. This could include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It can also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. However, it is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional. It is crucial for people who suffer from ADHD to have a system of support in place which could include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups as these can offer an environment where they can discuss the difficulties associated with living with ADHD and share advice to manage it effectively. The following resources are available to you: Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and keep friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They may be more prone to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them and others at risk. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual activities. A medical professional should do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms and formulate an effective treatment plan. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The provider will also take a look at the surroundings of the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor. There are many resources for those suffering from ADHD. Recommended Browsing include support groups, websites that offer tools and information, as well as websites that offer information. There are also books that can help manage the condition and achieve success in everyday life. For example, “The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Regain Focus” by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that 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 a range of alternative treatments for people with ADHD. Connecting with other people with the same diagnosis can offer a lot of support and empathy. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that provide support to people with ADHD. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities. add in adult women with ADHD can benefit by working with a counselor or coach to master new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in treating mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or ADHD. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps keep track of their daily activities. There are also a range of websites that provide virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which connects people who are working on the same task so that they can work from a distance.