Five Killer Quora Answers On ADHD In Young Women
ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men. signs of adhd adult women of ADHD include inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or make friends.
Unfortunately, these differences and a bias in treatment referral contribute to the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd include difficulties keeping track of appointments, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Females and females can also be troubled with relationships, impulsivity that results in risky behavior, including sexual activities and a tendency towards emotional instability. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it more difficult to recognize and treat.
Some girls and women don't show conspicuous symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle school or in elementary school, and then they compensate as they enter high school, when academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek assistance until they are having difficulty coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are consistently under-identified and underdiagnosed for ADHD in comparison to boys and men. This is due to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. In particular, females and girls are less likely to be referred to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as mentioned above or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
Women and girls are less likely to be referred for ADHD due to their tendency to exhibit emotional or mood-related symptoms, such as anger, 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 can exacerbate their problems.
Inattentional ADHD is more common among women and girls. It manifests as lack of focus, missed deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted by your thoughts or other activities happening around you, and you can easily lose track of time while doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. It is difficult to keep your room or desk organized, and you are easily overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events such as your friend's birthday.
Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of adhd symptoms in women adults - which is more prevalent in boys and men - can interfere with relationships, schoolwork and job performance. You are frequently busy, interrupting others and find it difficult to pay attention to what people are talking about. You may have trouble sitting still, fidget in your chair or tuck your hair. You're not able to control your emotions, and can make snide remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to seek the support and resources to assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis can also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women are relieved by their diagnosis, since it provides an explanation for the issues they've been unable to comprehend or blamed on gender bias, poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can determine if you have ADHD by looking into your symptoms and past history, and using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine their intensity. They can also inquire about how your symptoms affect your daily life. They may suggest methods and medications to improve your functioning. For example your doctor might suggest organizational methods like planners, post-it notepads, and lists, or they may suggest a medication to help you concentrate and focus. The medications that treat ADHD include stimulants that increase your alertness and focus as well as non-stimulants to can help you stay focused, without increasing heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls than in boys. It is possible that sexist views, less access to healthcare, and a misperception of the way the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can vary across the years and can get worse prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can increase frustrations and misunderstandings in relationships with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also find it difficult to complete tasks like paying bills as well as completing school or work assignments, or completing household chores. This can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional issues such as depression or anxiety.
The differences between men and women in ADHD are likely to be due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status that a person is given at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes people who identify themselves as women or men, or even nonbinary.
Treatment
Many women and girls do not get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better recognize their symptoms and find the most effective treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD for women and young girls is through multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and office accommodations, as well as lifestyle strategies.
Women and girls with ADHD have more emotional issues and a tougher dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by romantic partners or others and this can lead to frustration and a feeling that life is unfair. They are also at greater risk of having depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Most of the time, they have more difficulty obtaining or maintaining jobs due to their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. Social difficulties 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 of coping with stress, including excessive alcohol and drugs.
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 are atomoxetine, viloxazine, and Clonidine.
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy that aims to alter the way a person interprets and responds to situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet regularly exercising 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 care experts.
People who suffer from ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support or community groups since they provide an environment where they can discuss the challenges associated with living with ADHD and share advice on managing it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD have difficulty creating and maintaining 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 can include insufficient security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in sexual activity that is high risk.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes a person's mental and medical background as well as their current mood. The provider will also look at the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are a variety of resources for people suffering from ADHD, including support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books to aid people in managing their condition and find success in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example, addresses the specific challenges girls who suffer from ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for adult add women adhd and depression in women: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance without or with medication" offers a variety of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with others with the same diagnosis can provide a lot support and compassion. ADDitude magazine’s forum and ADDitude’s parenting group are two of the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizing skills.
Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new behavioral strategies and reach their goals in their lives. They can also get help from a therapist that specializes in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. There are apps, like the popular wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task together remotely.