Entrada del blog por Delbert Silas
ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD often exhibit different symptoms than boys. The symptoms of the inability to focus, forgetfulness, and impulsivity. interpreting social cues can make it hard to make friends or sustain relationships.
Unfortunately, these differences and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the ineffective diagnosis and treatment of adhd in young women.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of adhd include difficulties organizing your schedule not remembering appointments or making payments, and having difficulty maintaining friendships. Girls and women may struggle to maintain relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional volatility. They are often misunderstood their peers and suffer from depression or anxiety disorders that co-occur with ADHD which makes it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated.
Some girls and women don't show any obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) However, they do compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic demands are increased. In the end, they don't seek help until after they struggle to manage in college or at work.
Research has proven that women and girls are frequently misdiagnosed or under-identified as having ADHD when compared to men and boys. This disparity could be due to gender bias, which could often be unintentional. Specifically, girls and women are less likely to receive a diagnosis to a specialist for ADHD because they are more likely to conceal their symptoms, as described above or because they are diagnosed with different symptoms than males.
A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD diagnosed due to the fact that they are more likely to exhibit emotional or mood symptoms like irritability and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and receive inadequate treatment, which can compound their problems by masking the underlying causes.
Symptoms of the inattentive adhd in women subtype of ADHD that are more prevalent in women and girls include trouble staying focused in the midst of deadlines, or making careless mistakes at school or at work. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or by the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time when doing tasks. It is difficult to relax and find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. You struggle to keep your desk or space clean and organized. You can easily get overwhelmed when you visit restaurants or shops. You tend 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 may find it difficult to sit still, or twitching in your chair or tuck your hair. You are unable to manage your emotions and may make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
A precise diagnosis is crucial for girls and women with ADHD. A proper diagnosis will aid in understanding why certain aspects of your life are challenging, and allow you to get the help and support to make you feel more in control. Additionally, a diagnosis can be a lightbulb moment for many women and girls. find their diagnosis to be an uplifting experience, providing them with an external explanation for problems that they've been unable to comprehend or attributed to sexist biases or miscommunication, or even their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional will add test for women you for ADHD according to your symptoms and past tests, using a symptom list or questionnaire to determine the severity of those symptoms. They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They can recommend strategies and medications that will improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as planners, lists, and post-it notes. They may also suggest a medication that helps 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 affecting your blood pressure and heart rate.
ADHD in women and girls is usually diagnosed later than in boys and men. It is possible 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 can get worse in the midst of, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat girls and women with ADHD. For instance, impulsivity and inattention can heighten the frustrations and miscommunications in relationships with romantic partners, friends or colleagues, and make it hard for people to keep up with their work or social obligations. They may also have difficulty to complete tasks such as paying bills, finishing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This could lead to feeling dissatisfied with their lives and exacerbate mental issues like anxiety or depression.
The distinctions between males and females in ADHD are most likely to be due to neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender refers to the person's assigned status at birth in accordance with their chromosomes as well as their anatomy and also includes people who identify as women or men, as well as nonbinary.
Many women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help patients better know their symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. The most effective method of treating ADHD for girls and women involves a multimodal approach, which includes medication, therapy and counseling in the workplace and at home accommodations and lifestyle plans.
Girls and women with ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and have a harder to navigate relationships. They can be misunderstood either by their partners or other people. This can lead to frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a greater chance of developing co-occurring depression and anxiety.
Often, they have more difficulties obtaining or keeping an employment due to their lack of organization as well as their poor time management and difficulty with executive functions. Social difficulties and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or build meaningful relationships. They tend to be more critical of themselves, which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope, such as excessive drinking and substance 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 and viloxazine, and Clonidine.
In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy, which is a form of therapy that seeks to change the way an individual thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that seeks to alter the way a person reacts to and interprets situations. It may also involve making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, as well as 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.
It is essential for those with ADHD to have a system of support in place, which can include friends, family members or colleagues, as well as mentors and colleagues. It is recommended that they take part in community or support groups, since they can provide a safe environment to discuss the difficulties of living with ADHD and share tips on how to deal with it effectively.
Resources
Girls with ADHD have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They might also be suffering with depression or low self-esteem. They are more susceptible to impulsive, destructive behaviors that could put them or others at risk. These behaviors can include the lack of safety precautions, drug or alcohol misuse or engaging in high risk sexual activity.
A doctor should do a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes looking into the person's medical and mental health history, as well as their current mood. The provider will also look at the environment around the person to determine whether they may be a contributing factor.
There are a variety of resources available for people with ADHD which include support groups and websites that provide information and tools. There are many books that can help you manage the disorder and make it more successful in the world of work. For instance, "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 face. Stephanie Sarkis's book on PhD "Natural Treatment for Adult ADHD: Complementary strategies to improve focus, motivation and performance without or with medication" provides a variety of alternative treatments.
People who suffer from women's adhd self assessment can find a lot of help and understanding by connecting with other people who share the same diagnosis. ADDitude magazine's forum as well as ADDitude's parenting group are among the numerous websites and social media platforms that provide assistance to those suffering from ADHD. Some organizations also offer summer camps or day programs that teach organization and executive function skills.
Many adults with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to learn new ways of coping and reach their goals in their lives. They can also seek assistance from a therapist who is specialized in treating patients suffering from ADHD or mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. There are also apps to keep them focused on their tasks, such as the popular Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of their daily activities. There are also a variety of websites offering virtual collaboration, for instance Focusmate which connects people working on the same project so that they can work via remote.