What Freud Can Teach Us About ADHD In Young Women
ADHD in Young Women
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are often afflicted with different symptoms than boys. Signs of ADHD include forgetfulness, impulsivity, and difficulty interpreting social signals can make it difficult to maintain relationships or establish friendships.
These differences and biases in the treatment process contribute to the misdiagnosis of adhd as well as its undertreatment in young women.
Signs and symptoms
The defining symptoms of adhd include difficulty organizing your schedule and forgetting appointments, or paying bills and having trouble maintaining friendships. Girls and women may have trouble maintaining relationships, exhibit impulsivity, which could lead to risk-taking behaviors, including sexual activity, or be susceptible to emotional turbulence. They may be misunderstood and suffer from anxiety or depression disorders, which can be co-occurring with ADHD. This makes it harder to recognize and treat.
Some girls and women do not show obvious symptoms of attention-deficit disorders (ADHD) however, they overcome it when they enter high school, where social and academic demands rise. As a result, they do not seek help until they struggle to manage in college or in the workplace.
Research shows that women and girls are frequently under-diagnosed and not recognized for ADHD, compared to males and females. Gender bias, which is often not intentional, may contribute to this gap. Girls and women are less likely than men to be recommended to a doctor for ADHD or similar disorders, either because 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 and depression. They are more likely to be diagnosed for mood disorders or anxiety and receive unsuitable treatment, which could exacerbate their issues by masking the root cause.
The symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD that are more prevalent in women and girls are a lack of focus and rushing deadlines or making mistakes at school or at work. You can easily be distracted by thoughts or other things happening around you and you frequently lose track of time when working on tasks. You have trouble sitting still and find it difficult to relax. You have trouble keeping your desk or space clean and organized. You are easily overwhelmed when you go to restaurants or shops. You tend to forget important details or events, 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 constantly on the go, interrupt others and are unable to listen to what others are saying. You have a hard time sitting still and may fidget or act on impulse like squirming in your seat or grabbing your hair. You can't control your emotions and you might make snide or embarrassing remarks.
Diagnosis
For women and girls suffering from ADHD An accurate diagnosis is key. A proper diagnosis will help you understand why some aspects of your life are difficult and enable you to get the help and support that will assist you in feeling more in control. A diagnosis could be a moment of clarity for many women and girls. are able to experience their diagnosis as a relief, giving them an external explanation of the difficulties that they've been unable to comprehend or blamed to sexist biases, miscommunication, or their internalized gender stereotypes.
A medical professional can test you for ADHD according to your symptoms and history symptoms, and also by using the symptom list or questionnaire to gauge the intensity of those symptoms. They'll also inquire about how your symptoms impact your daily life. They can suggest strategies and medications that can improve your performance. For example your doctor may suggest organizational methods like planners, post-it notes and lists, or they may suggest a medication that can help you concentrate and focus. The medications used to treat ADHD can include stimulants, that can improve your attention and alertness, as well as non-stimulants, which help you focus without affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
ADHD in girls and women is typically diagnosed later than in men and boys. It is possible that sexist beliefs, a lack of access to healthcare and a misperception of how the disorder manifests in females can contribute to this delay.
The symptoms can change throughout life and can worsen in the midst of, prior to or after hormonal changes. This can cause problems with the diagnosis process and treatment options for girls and women with ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity can lead to anger and miscommunications with colleagues, romantic partners or friends. It can also make it difficult for them to meet commitments to social or work. They might also have difficulty to complete tasks like paying bills as well as finishing work or school assignments, or completing household chores. This could cause people to feel unhappy with their lives and exacerbate emotional problems like anxiety or depression.
The gender and sex differences in ADHD are most likely the result of biological, neurological and environmental factors. Gender is the assigned status that a person gets at birth based upon chromosomes, anatomy, and a variety of other factors. This includes people who identify themselves as females males, nonbinary.
Treatment
Many girls and women aren't diagnosed with ADHD until they reach adulthood. A diagnosis early will help people better understand their symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options. The most effective approach to treating ADHD in women and girls involves a multimodal approach, which includes medication, therapy and counseling, workplace and home life accommodations and lifestyle techniques.
Women and girls who suffer from ADHD are more prone to emotional issues and a tougher dealing with relationships. They can be misunderstood either by romantic partners or other people. This can cause frustration and a feeling of unfairness. They also have a higher risk of having co-occurring anxiety and depression.
They are often more difficult in finding work or keeping jobs due to their inability to organize in their lives, lack of time management skills and problems with executive tasks (planning, organizing, prioritizing). Problems with social interaction and emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for them to keep or form meaningful relationships. They tend to be more self-critical which can lead them to seek out unhealthy ways to cope with stress, including excessive alcohol 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 the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera(r)), viloxazine (Qelbree(r)) and clonidine (Kapvay(r)).
In addition to medications for women and girls, those with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy that is a type of therapy for talking that aims to alter the way a person thinks and behaves. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that aims to alter the way a person perceives and responds to 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 important to note that removing food items or taking supplements should only be done under the supervision of a health professional.
People with ADHD must have a strong support system that could include family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It is also recommended they join support groups or community groups, as they can provide an environment where they can discuss the challenges of living with ADHD, and share tips for managing it effectively.
Resources
Girls who suffer from ADHD often struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may also suffer from low self-esteem or depression. They can be more vulnerable to destructive and impulsive behaviors which could expose them to harming themselves or others. These behaviors include not taking safety precautions, drinking alcohol or taking drugs or engaging in high-risk sexual activities.
A health care provider must conduct a thorough assessment to determine the root cause of the symptoms and create an effective treatment plan. This includes a person's mental and medical background as well as their current mood. The physician will also examine the surroundings of the person to determine if they are a factor.
There are many resources for people suffering from ADHD. These include support groups, websites that offer information and tools, as well as websites that provide information. There are also books that can aid people in managing their condition and be successful in their daily lives. For example, "The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD can conquer chaos and Find Focus" by Terry Matlen addresses the specific problems that girls with ADHD confront. "Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies to Increased Focus, Motivation, and Performance With or without Medication" by Stephanie Sarkis, PhD offers a range of alternative treatments for those suffering from ADHD.
Connecting with other people who have the same diagnosis can give a lot of help and understanding. Numerous websites and social media platforms provide support for people with ADHD such as ADDitude magazine's forum and ADDitude's parenting group. Some organizations provide day or summer programs that teach executive function and organizing abilities.
Many adults suffering from ADHD could benefit by working with a counselor or coach to develop new techniques for managing their behavior and reach their goals. inattentive add in women can also seek advice from a therapist that specializes in the treatment of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or ADHD. Some people use apps, such as the well-known Wunderlist and other software, to monitor their daily activities. There are a number of websites that allow collaboration via virtual networks. Focusmate is one such website. It pairs people who have the same job to work together via remote.