Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different signs than boys. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these disparities and a bias in treatment referral contribute to the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
Adhd is characterized by an inability to organize as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, and difficulty maintaining friendships. Women and girls can also have issues with relationships, impulsivity which leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities and a tendency towards emotional instability. They are often misunderstood their peers and may suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that are co-occurring with ADHD making it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Certain women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic expectations are raised. In the end, they do not seek help until they have difficulty coping in college or in the workplace.
Research has shown that women and girls are often not diagnosed and recognized for undiagnosed adhd in adult women as compared to boys and men. This disparity can be attributed to gender bias, which could often be unintentionally. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD due to the fact that they hide symptoms as described above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
Women and girls are less likely to receive referrals for ADHD due to their propensity to show mood or emotional symptoms, like irritability, rage and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems.
Inattentive adhd symptoms in women is more prevalent for girls and women. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you and you can easily lose track of time when doing tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it hard to relax. You aren't able to keep your space or desk in order and you're easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events, 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 busy, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are talking about. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or react on impulse like squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You are unable to control your emotions, and can blurt out hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the issues you face and help you find the support and resources you require to feel more in control. In addition, a diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment: many women and girls experience their diagnosis as an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for challenges that they have long struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist bias or miscommunication, or even their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and past, and by using a symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of the symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest methods and medications to help improve your performance. Your doctor may suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The medications used to treat ADHD contain stimulants that improve your attention deficit disorder in women and alertness, or nonstimulants that help you stay focused without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than it is in men and boys. It is possible that sexist attitudes, poorer access to healthcare and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females are the main reasons for this delay.
Symptoms can vary across the years and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat understanding women with adhd and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity or inattention can cause the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic friends, partners or colleagues, and make it difficult for them to keep up with their 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 completing household chores. This can lead them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are likely to be due to neurological, biological, and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and other factors. This includes those who identify themselves as females or men, or even non-binary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD in girls and women 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 are more prone to emotional issues and a tougher to navigate relationships. They may be misunderstood by their romantic partners or other people and this can lead to anger and feeling that life is unfair. They also have a greater risk of having co-occurring depression and anxiety.
In most cases, they have greater trouble finding or keeping an employment because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive tasks. Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical, which can cause them to look for unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking 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 the atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and acts. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the way an individual interprets or responds to situations. It may also involve incorporating lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, as well as taking nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that cutting out foods or supplementing with supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system. This could include friends, family or colleagues as well as mentors. It is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, since they can provide a safe space to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activities.
A health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to identify the root of the problem and formulate an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The doctor will also take a look at the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are many resources for those suffering from ADHD. These 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 disorder and make it more successful in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example it addresses the particular issues girls with ADHD face. "Natural Relief for adult female adhd symptoms ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve Focus, Motivation and Performance with or without medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can offer a lot of support and empathy. Many websites and social media platforms provide support for people with ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and achieve goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who is specialized in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their work like the well-known Wunderlist, and software that helps monitor their daily activities. There are also a range of websites offering virtual collaboration, like Focusmate which connects people working on the same project so that they can work via remote.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD typically have different signs than boys. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it difficult to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
