Young Women and ADHD

Literature and advice on ADD/ADHD often overlooks the experiences of young adult women. Countless books offer advice on ADD/ADHD for children or the newly diagnosed parent. Why is it the case that so little research or resources are available for women on ADD/ADHD let alone young women in their twenties. One reason is that on the whole women were under-diagnosed for many years because their ADHD symptoms often differed from males. Another reason is that women are often diagnosed with ADHD after their children are diagnosed with ADHD. Young women with ADHD between the ages of 18 to 30 are often overlooked. They face a number of challenges including eating disorders and anxiety.

Here are some online resources about issues related to young women with ADHD:

General Resources for Women
These articles outline some of the challenges faced by women with ADHD. They offer detailed suggestions of the ways that ADHD effects the lives of young adult women. While women face many challenges with ADHD, research has demonstrated that most women (young and old) diagnosed with ADHD typically express relief when they hear their diagnosis.
ADHD in Women:
Feminine Side of ADHD: Significant Impact on Girls
ADHD & The Gender Gap

College & Starting Out
College can prove a challenging time for young men and women with ADHD. These sites offer advice for the young adult women trying to find a career or live on her own for the first time. Here are a few resources worth looking at:
College, Graduate, and Professional School Advice
Young Adults
ADDitude's Top 33 Organizational Tips
Making A Great First Impression

Eating Disorders
Some researchers believe that there are connections between ADHD and the development of eating disorders. The link below provides current information about the ways which eating disorders are related to ADHD, and some ideas for treatment. Young women with ADHD face challenges when losing weight due to their medication and propensity to be forgetful. The link on weight management provides some effective tips for the absent-minded.
Eating Disorders & ADHD
Weight Management Strategies for Adults with ADHD

Relationships
People with ADHD can often find it difficult to properly read social cues or curb their impulsive side. The following resources offer advice for the relationship problems that often surface when one person had ADHD and the other does not. Or when both partners have ADHD.
ADHD & Relationships
A. D. D. and Romance: : Finding Fulfillment in Love, Sex, & Relationships" rel="nofollow">ADD & Romance (book)

These resources provide a good starting point for young women newly diagnosed with ADHD or young women with ADHD looking for recent material on the subject. Unfortunately, there is still little information written with the ADHD women out of college but not yet married in mind. Hopefully, these resources provide valuable information to young women trying to work with not against their ADHD symptoms.