ADHD in Young Women
Common symptoms:
Inattention: difficulty remembering to complete tasks, staying on task, following directions, planning, coordination, misplacing items, making small errors (ex. spelling, punctuation, addition vs. subtraction), forgetfulness, and struggling with fine/gross motor skills (ex. handwriting, catching a Frisbee)
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: fidgeting, benefitting from constant movement, unable to control impulses
Sensory Regulation: may be sensitive to sounds, lights, smells, sensations and tastes. Sensory discomfort can result in behaviors have no obvious cause
Emotional Regulation: individuals with untreated ADHD can seem to go from “0-100” in no time, because they often lack the ability to recognize when their emotions are becoming overwhelming. Essentially, it’s all okay until it’s not.
Considerations: Diagnosing ADHD requires a developmental history in which symptoms were consistently present. Many individuals who begin displaying ADHD symptoms in college are actually struggling with different medical concerns contributing to difficulties with attention and concentration
Treatment:
Diagnosis: as ADHD can look like many other health, a psychological assessment involving cognitive, and psychological testing may be recommended when alternative diagnoses are considered. While ADHD can be diagnosed using behavioral checklists, ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder and diagnostic testing helps to differentiate the particular aspects of the diagnosis that are most relevant to treatment planning.
Interdisciplinary Care: it can be helpful collaborate with your doctor and relevant caregivers to better understand your developmental history. Following diagnosis, academic accommodations may be recommended.
Referrals: common referrals include tutoring, psychiatry, audiology, ophthalmology, and nutrition support
Psychotherapy: treatment typically involves a combination of information regarding the diagnosis, and interventions aimed at improving executive functioning, self-advocacy skills, family functioning, sensory regulation (ex. yoga) and self-esteem.
