ADHD in add in women test and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. Symptoms such as inattention, forgetfulness and difficulty in understanding social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
These biases and differences in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd and its undertreatment in young women.
Symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulty organizing your schedule, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women can also have difficulty maintaining relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior which includes sexual activity or be susceptible to emotional turbulence. They can be misunderstood by their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to be diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, but they do compensate as they enter high school, when academic and social expectations increase. They don't seek help until they experience difficulties at college or at work.
Research has shown that women and girls are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD in comparison to men and boys. This is due to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. Girls and women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD due to the fact that they camouflage symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms.
A woman or girl is less likely to suffer from ADHD being referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which can compound their issues by masking the root causes.
The signs of the inattentive subtype of ADHD that are more prevalent in women and girls are a lack of focus in the midst of deadlines, or making careless mistakes at work or school. You can easily be distracted by your thoughts or other things going on around you, and you can easily lose track of time when doing tasks. You find it difficult to relax and are unable to sit still. It is difficult to keep your room or desk tidy, and you are easily overwhelmed in 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 always moving, you interrupt others and are unable to listen to what they're saying. You might have difficulty sitting still, fidget in your chair or grab your hair. You can't control your emotions and you might make snide or embarrassing comments.
Diagnosis
A clear diagnosis is essential for women and girls with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to find the help and resources to make you feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis could be a moment of clarity: many women and girls are able to experience their diagnosis as an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for challenges that they have long struggled to understand or chalked up to sexist biases, miscommunication, or their own internalized gender stereotypes.
A health care professional can test for ADHD by looking into your symptoms and background, and using a symptom checklist or questionnaire to determine the severity of your symptoms. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that can improve your overall performance. Your doctor may suggest methods for organizing such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. Also, they could suggest a medication that helps you focus and concentrate. The medicines used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing your heart rate or blood pressure.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in women and girls, but not in boys. This is probably due to sexist beliefs, the lack of access to healthcare and misunderstandings about how the disorder manifests itself in females.
Symptoms can vary across the years and can get worse in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to diagnose and treat women and girls with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can heighten tensions and misunderstandings with romantic partners, friends or colleagues. It can also make it hard for them to keep up with work or social engagements. They may also be struggling to complete tasks such as paying bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This could cause them to be unhappy with their lives, and may cause emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are most likely due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's status at birth, based on their chromosomes and anatomical features and includes those who identify as women males, nonbinary, or men.
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 method to treat ADHD in young and female girls is to use an approach that is multimodal and includes therapy, medication counseling, work and home accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Women and girls with ADHD often have more emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships than men. They might be misunderstood by their partners or others, which can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of depression and anxiety co-occurring.
In most cases, they have greater difficulties obtaining or keeping jobs because of their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulty with executive tasks. The emotional and social challenges can make it difficult for them to maintain or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way that a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that seeks to change the way someone interprets and responds to situations. It could also involve changes in lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to keep in mind that removing foods or taking nutritional supplements should only be done under the supervision of health care professionals.
People suffering from ADHD must have a strong support system that could include friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support groups or community groups as these can offer an opportunity to talk about the difficulties associated with living with ADHD, and share tips to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls who suffer from ADHD struggle with making and maintaining friendships. They may also experience low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They may be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These could include the lack of safety precautions and alcohol or drug abuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
A health care provider must perform a thorough evaluation in order to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes a person's mental and medical history as well as current state of mind. The doctor will also look at the person's surroundings to determine whether it's an influence.
There are many resources available for people with ADHD such as support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are also books that assist people with their condition and find success in life. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD have to face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to boost focus, motivation and performance with or without medication" provides a variety of alternative treatment options.
Connecting with people with the same diagnosis can give 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 also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults with ADHD could benefit from 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 specializes in the treatment of mental health issues like depression, anxiety or ADHD. Some people use apps, such as the popular Wunderlist and software, to track their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, such as Focusmate, which pairs people with the same task so they can work together via remote.