7 Things About ADHD In Young Women Youll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing

ADHD in Young Women
Girls and women with ADHD might exhibit different symptoms. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
These differences and biases in treatment recommendations result in the incorrect diagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
Adhd is characterised by the inability to plan as well as a tendency to forget appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Women and girls may also have trouble maintaining relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risk-taking behavior, including sexual activity, or be prone to emotional turbulence. They are often misunderstood their peers and suffer from anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD which makes it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some women and girls don't show any obvious signs of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but make up for it when they start high school, where social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping in college or at work.
Research has shown that girls and women are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. Gender bias, which is usually unintentional, can contribute to this gap. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to camouflage their symptoms, as mentioned above or they present with different types of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to have ADHD referred to them because they tend to show emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and receive unsuitable treatment, which may exacerbate their issues by hiding the root causes.
Attention-deficit ADHD is more prevalent in girls and women. It manifests as lack of focus, missing deadlines, or making mistakes at school or work. You are easily distracted, either by your thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time while doing your work. You find it difficult to relax and you find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. It is difficult to keep your room or desk organized, and you are easily overwhelmed in stores or restaurants. You're likely to overlook 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 always moving you are constantly interrupting others and you have difficulty listening to what they're saying. You may find it difficult to sit still, or twitching in your chair, or even grab your hair. You aren't able to control your emotions and you may make hurtful or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
For girls and women with ADHD, the right diagnosis is essential. A clear diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and help you locate the support and resources you need to feel more in control. A diagnosis could also be a "lightbulb" moment. Many women and girls feel relief from their diagnosis because it provides an explanation for the challenges they've been unable to comprehend, or chalked up with discrimination against women, poor communication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care provider can test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and past symptoms, and also by using the symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of these symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that can improve your performance. For example your doctor may suggest strategies for organizing such as planners, post-it notes, and lists, or suggest a medication to help you focus and concentrate. The drugs used to treat ADHD include stimulants that improve your attention and alertness as well as non-stimulants to can help you stay focused, without increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD in girls and women is often diagnosed much later than it is in boys and men. This delay is likely due to sexist beliefs and a lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
Symptoms can vary throughout life and can become more severe prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can heighten tensions and misunderstandings with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it hard for them to keep up with their work or social obligations. They may also struggle to complete tasks such as paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, or doing household chores. This could cause them to be unhappy with their lives and can exacerbate emotional issues like anxiety or depression.
The sex and gender differences in ADHD are likely to be the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status a person receives at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as females, men or nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women don't receive a precise diagnosis of ADHD until they reach adulthood. Getting an early diagnosis can help people understand their symptoms and determine the best treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD for girls and women is to use a multimodal approach that includes counseling, therapy and medication in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Girls and women with ADHD suffer from more emotional issues and have a difficult time navigating relationships. They can be misunderstood or criticized by their romantic partners or other people and this can lead to frustration and the feeling of unfairness. They are also at greater risk of having depression and anxiety that are co-occurring.
They are often more difficult in finding work or maintaining jobs due to their lack of organization and poor time management skills and difficulty in executive functions (planning, organizing prioritizing). They are often unable to form meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more critical of themselves, which can lead them to seek unhealthy methods of coping with stress, including 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls with ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy. This is a type of talking therapy aimed at changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It could also involve changes to lifestyles, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that removing foods or supplementing with supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
adhd traits in women is essential for those with ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include friends, family members, colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended that they join community or support groups as these can offer an opportunity to talk about the challenges of living with ADHD, and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD often struggle to form and maintain friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These include not taking safety precautions, drinking or using drugs, or engaging in high-risk sexual activities.
A health care provider should do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes looking at the person's medical and mental health history, as well as current mood. The physician will also assess the person's surroundings to determine whether it's a contributing factor.
There are a variety of sources for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that offer information and tools. There are also books that can help manage the disorder and make it more successful in everyday life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example, addresses the specific challenges girls with ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's doctoral book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation, and performance with or without medication" provides a range of alternatives to treatment.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis could provide a lot support and empathy. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations offer day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD benefit from working with a counselor or coach to learn new behavioral strategies and reach their goals in their lives. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating people with ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Many people use 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 individuals who share the same task together remotely.