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ADHD in Young Women Girls and women who suffer from ADHD may exhibit different signs. The symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and difficulty in interpreting social signals can make it difficult for them to make friends or maintain relationships. Unfortunately, these variations and an unbalanced treatment referral result in the under-diagnosis and treatment of adhd in women who are young. Signs and symptoms Adhd is characterized by an inability to organize, forgetting appointments and bills, as well as difficulties maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, and show impulsivity which can lead to risky behavior such as sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional turbulence. They are often misunderstood their peers and struggle with depression or anxiety disorders that can co-occur with ADHD making it more difficult to get diagnosed and treated. Certain women and girls do not show obvious signs of attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in middle or elementary school, and then compensate when they enter high school, where social and academic expectations rise. They don't seek help until they are having difficulty coping at college or at work. Research has proven that women and girls are often misdiagnosed and not recognized as having ADHD when compared to boys and men. Gender bias, which is often not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Women and girls are less likely than men to be diagnosed with ADHD, either because they camouflage symptoms as described above or because they exhibit different symptoms. A girl or woman is less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD diagnosed because they are more likely to exhibit mood or emotional symptoms such as irritability and depression. They are more likely than males to be taken to a psychiatrist for anxiety or mood disorders, and receive inappropriate treatment that could exacerbate their problems. The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD which is more prevalent for women and girls – are a lack of focus and rushing deadlines or making a mistake at work or school. You are easily distracted by your own thoughts or the things that happen around you. You also lose track of time when working on tasks. It is difficult to relax and you have difficulty sitting still. You aren't able to keep your space or desk in order, and you are easily overwhelmed in restaurants or stores. 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 in boys and men – can interfere with relationships, schoolwork and job performance. You are constantly busy, interrupting others and have trouble listening to what people are talking about. You may find it difficult to sit still, fidget in your chair or tuck your hair. It's difficult to manage your emotions, and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks. Diagnosis For women and girls with ADHD, the right diagnosis is essential. 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. In addition, a diagnosis could be a moment of lightbulb: many women and girls find their diagnosis to be an opportunity to feel relieved, and provide them with an external explanation for problems that they have long struggled to understand or chalked up to sexist biases or miscommunication. Or, they blame their own internalized gender stereotypes. A medical professional can test for ADHD by looking into your symptoms and past history and using an assessment checklist or questionnaire to assess their intensity. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that will improve your functioning. Your doctor might suggest methods of organization, such as lists, planners, and post-it notes. Or, they may suggest a medication that helps you concentrate and focus. The medicines used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, which can increase your focus and alertness, as well as non-stimulants that help you stay focused without increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. ADHD is diagnosed later in women and girls than in boys. This is probably due to sexist views and a lack of access to medical care and misinformation about how the disorder manifests in females. The symptoms may change throughout the course of life and may become worse when, prior to, or after hormonal changes. This makes it difficult to identify and treat women and girls with ADHD. For Home , impulsivity and inattention can cause tensions and misunderstandings with romantic friends, partners, or colleagues, and make it difficult for people to keep up with work or social obligations. They may also be struggling to complete tasks such as paying off bills, completing school or work assignments, and doing housework. This could cause them to be unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems such as depression or anxiousness. The sex and gender differences in ADHD are most likely the result of neurological, biological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status that a person is given at birth based on chromosomes anatomy, and other variables. This includes those who identify themselves as females males, nonbinary. Treatment Many girls and women are not diagnosed with ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. Early diagnosis can help people better understand their symptoms and discover the best treatment options. The most effective way to treat ADHD in women and young girls is to employ multimodal treatment that includes therapy, medication, counseling, home and work accommodations, and lifestyle strategies. Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more prone to 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 that life is unfair. Home have greater risk of having depression and anxiety that are co-occurring. In most cases, they have greater difficulty obtaining or maintaining a job because of their lack of organization and poor time management. They also have difficulty in executive functions. They are often unable to form meaningful relationships or maintain them due to social challenges and emotional dysregulation. They tend to be more self-critical which may lead them to look for unhealthy ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol and drug use. The most common medications used to treat ADHD in adults are stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin®), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall®) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera®) and viloxazine (Qelbree®) and clonidine (Kapvay®). Women and girls with ADHD could benefit from psychotherapy. This is a kind of therapy that focuses on changing the way that a person thinks and acts. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that aims to change the way an individual reacts to and interprets situations. It could also involve changes in lifestyle, like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking nutritional supplements. It is important to note that cutting out foods or supplementing with supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional. People with ADHD need a solid support system that could include family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended that they join support or community groups, as they can provide a safe place to discuss the challenges associated with living with ADHD and offer tips for managing it effectively. Resources Girls with ADHD struggle with making and keeping friendships. They may also have low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They could be vulnerable to reckless and destructive behavior that could expose them to harming themselves or others. These can include insufficient safety precautions or the misuse of alcohol or drugs or engaging in high risk sexual activity. A medical professional should conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan. This includes the patient's medical and mental history as well as their current state of mind. The physician will also examine the environment around the person to determine if they are a factor. There are numerous resources available for those suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites that provide information and tools, as well as websites that offer information. There are also books that can help you manage the condition and achieve success in life. For example, “The Queen of Distraction: How women with ADHD can overcome chaos and Find Focus” by Terry Matlen addresses the specific challenges that girls with ADHD face. “Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Improve Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or without Medication” by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers various alternative treatments for people with ADHD. Connecting with other people with the same diagnosis could offer a lot of support and compassion. A variety of websites and social media platforms provide assistance for those suffering from ADHD including ADDitude magazine's forum and the ADDitude parent group. Some organizations offer summer or daytime programs that teach executive function and organizational skills. Many people with ADHD benefit from working with a coach or counselor to develop new strategies for managing their behavior and to achieve their goals in their lives. They can also seek help from a therapist who specializes in treating mental health issues like depression, anxiety or ADHD. Some people also use apps to help them stay focused on their work such as the well-known Wunderlist, as well as software to keep track of 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 to work together remotely.