What Freud Can Teach Us About ADHD In Young Women
ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls with ADHD often exhibit different signs than boys. The symptoms of the inability to focus, forgetfulness, and impulsivity. in interpreting social signals can make it difficult for them to establish friendships or maintain relationships.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral cause ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd are difficulty keeping track of appointments not remembering appointments or paying bills, and struggling to maintain friendships. Girls and women also may experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity that leads to risk-taking behaviors including sexual activities, and a tendency toward emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which may co-exist with ADHD. This makes it harder to identify and treat.
Some women and girls don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then compensate when they reach high school, when social and academic expectations are raised. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD, compared to men and boys. The gender bias, which is typically not intentional, may contribute to this disparity. Women and girls are less likely than men to be referred to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because they conceal symptoms as mentioned above, or because they suffer from different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD referred to them because they tend 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 inadequate treatment, which can compound their issues by masking the underlying causes.
The signs of adhd in adult women of the inattentive subtype types of adhd in women ADHD - which is more prevalent in women and girls include trouble staying focused and rushing deadlines or making mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time while doing your work. It is difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. You struggle to keep your desk or room tidy and well-organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you go to stores or restaurants. You are prone 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 constantly in motion, interrupting others and are unable to listen to what people are saying. You have a hard time being still and you may fidget or act on impulse like squirming your seat or pulling at your hair. You are unable to control your emotions and sometimes make snide remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A correct diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and help you find the support and resources you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis could be a moment of clarity: many women and girls find their diagnosis to be an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation of the difficulties that they've struggled to comprehend or blamed to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and history symptoms, and also by using a symptom list or questionnaire to assess the severity of these symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that will help you function better. For example your doctor might suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or they may suggest a medication to help you focus and concentrate. Medications used to treat ADHD may include stimulants which can boost your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing the rate of your heartbeat and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than men and boys. This is likely due to sexist views and an inaccessibility to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
The symptoms can be different throughout life and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can cause problems with the diagnosis process and treatment options for women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can cause frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social commitments. They may also find it difficult to finish tasks like paying bills and working on school or work assignments, or completing household chores. This can cause feelings of discontent with their lives and may exacerbate mental issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely the result of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. Gender refers to the gender-specific status a person receives at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes people who identify themselves as females, men or non-binary.
Treatment
Many girls and women are not diagnosed with adhd in middle aged women until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people know their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is through multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and work accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and a tougher to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their partners or others, which can lead to anger and feeling of unfairness. They are also at a higher risk of depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
They typically have a harder time finding work or maintaining jobs because of their disorganization, poor time management skills and problems in executive functions (planning, organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful relationships or maintain them because of social difficulties and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical and this can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope like excessive drinking and drug use.
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 drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications, girls and women with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to change the way someone thinks and behaves. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which focuses on changing the way the person perceives or reacts to situations. It could also involve lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is crucial to remember that removing food items or taking nutritional supplements should be done under the supervision of health professionals.
People who suffer from ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family, friends or colleagues as well as mentors. It is also recommended that they participate in support groups or community groups, as these can provide a safe space to discuss the challenges of living with ADHD and offer tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They are susceptible to destructive and impulsive behaviors that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These are behaviors that include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activity.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This involves looking at the person's medical and mental health history, and their current mood. The doctor will also look at the environment around the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are many sources for people with ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that aid people in managing their condition and find success in their daily lives. 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 have to face. "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 in women assessment can find a lot of empathy and support by connecting with other people with the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are among the many websites and social media platforms that provide support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many people with adhd inattentive type in women are able to benefit by working with a counselor or coach to learn new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. They can also get assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating those suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people use apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to keep track of their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It allows two individuals who share the same task together via remote.