5 Killer Quora Answers To ADHD In Young Women
adhd in young women (check out this blog post via Peatix)
Women and girls with ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than men. Symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to keep relationships going or to make friends.
Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of adhd are difficulty keeping track of appointments, forgetting appointments or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Females and females can also experience difficulty with relationships, impulsivity which can lead to risky behaviors, such as sexual activity, and a tendency toward emotional instability. They may be misunderstood by their peers and may suffer from anxiety or depression that are co-occurring with ADHD making it difficult to diagnose and treated.
Some girls and women do not exhibit obvious signs of attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), but overcome it when they enter high school, when social and academic demands rise. They don't seek help until they have trouble coping at college or at work.
Research shows that girls and women are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD, in comparison to boys and men. This is due to gender bias, which could often be not intentional. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD because they are more likely to camouflage their symptoms, as previously mentioned or because they are diagnosed with different kinds of symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to suffer from ADHD being referred to them due to the fact that they are more likely to show mood or emotional symptoms like irritability or depression. They are more likely than males to be referred to a psychiatrist for mood disorders or anxiety, and receive inappropriate treatment that can exacerbate their problems.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more common in women and girls include trouble staying focused, missing deadlines, or making mistakes at school or at work. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other things happening around you and you can easily lose track of time while doing tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You struggle to keep your room or desk clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You are prone to forgetting important dates or events like the birthday of your friend.
Symptoms of the hyperactive/impulsive subtype of ADHD - which is more prevalent add in adult women boys and men - can interfere with relationships, schoolwork and job performance. You are always on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what people are talking about. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or act on impulse, such as squirming in your seat or pulling at your hair. You're unable to manage your emotions and may blurt out hurtful remarks, embarrassing or off-color.
Diagnosis
For women and girls with ADHD, getting a correct diagnosis is crucial. A proper diagnosis can help you comprehend the difficulties you are facing and assist you in finding the support and resources you require to feel more in control. A diagnosis can also be an "lightbulb" moment. Many girls and women are relieved by their diagnosis because it provides an explanation for the issues they've struggled to comprehend or blamed on gender bias, poor communication, or internalized gender stereotypes.
A doctor will test you for ADHD by analyzing your symptoms and history symptoms, and also by using a symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They may suggest strategies and medications that can improve your performance. For instance your doctor may suggest ways to organize your life, such as planners, post-it notes and lists, or suggest a medication that can help you focus and concentrate. 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 blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD is more often diagnosed in add women and girls than in boys. It is likely that sexist views, less access to healthcare, and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can vary throughout life, and they can worsen prior to, during, and after hormonal changes. This can make it difficult to recognize and treat girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to frustration and misunderstandings with romantic partners, colleagues or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to keep work or social commitments. They might also have a difficult time to complete tasks like paying bills and working on school or work assignments, or doing housework. This can cause feelings of discontent with their lives, and can exacerbate emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety.
The gender differences between women and men in ADHD are likely to be due to biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender is the status a person receives at birth based on chromosomes, anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as females males, non-binary.
Treatment
Many women and girls are not able to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until well into adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective method to treat ADHD for women and young girls is to employ an approach that is multimodal and includes medication, therapy, counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle plans.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration as well as feeling of unfairness. They are also at an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety co-occurring.
Often, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping a job because of their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulties in executive functions. They often struggle to develop meaningful friendships or maintain relationships due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which can cause them to look for unhealthy ways of coping like excessive drinking 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 include the atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) as well as viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and Clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
Girls and women with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. It is a form of therapy that focuses on changing the way an individual thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual reacts to and interprets situations. It may also include changes to lifestyles, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking nutritional supplements. It is vital to remember that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health care professional.
People who suffer from ADHD need a solid support system, which may include family, friends as well as colleagues and mentors. It is also recommended they join support groups or community groups since they provide an environment where they can discuss the challenges associated with living with ADHD, and share tips to manage it effectively.
The following resources are available to you:
Girls with ADHD have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They might also be suffering from depression or low self-esteem. They could be more prone to destructive, impulsive behavior that could put them or others at risk. These can include the lack of security measures, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in sexual activities that are high risk.
A medical professional must perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause and create an effective treatment plan effective. This includes the person's medical and mental history as well as current mood. The doctor will also look at the person's surroundings to determine whether it's an influence.
There are numerous resources available for those suffering from adhd in women test. 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 condition and help you achieve success in life. "The Queen of Distraction" by Terry Matlen, for example is a book that addresses the particular challenges girls who suffer from ADHD face. Stephanie Sarkis's doctoral book "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation, and performance, whether or not you take medication" offers a variety of alternatives to treatment.
People suffering from ADHD can find a lot of help and understanding by interacting 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 offer support to people with ADHD. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizational abilities.
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 seek assistance from a therapist that specializes in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Some people also use apps to keep them focused on their tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, and software that helps track their daily activities. There are numerous websites that allow virtual collaboration. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same task to work together via remote.