ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD and are not treated appropriately. The gender bias and outdated criteria can play a role.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask people who know the patient -- like spouses, siblings or family members to evaluate symptoms.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can vary at different times, such as during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. However, they can also affect relationships, work and life generally.
Signs and symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be very frustrating and can cause feelings of despair. It's crucial to keep in mind that these problems are not your fault and don't have anything to do with how you conduct yourself or the kind of person you are.
The signs of ADHD for women may differ among individuals, but the most common are disorganization, forgetfulness, and difficulty staying focused. You might also have trouble in focusing or finishing tasks, causing trouble at work or at school and having trouble maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and becoming constantly anxious and stressed constantly. Additionally, many women suffer from emotional distress, like mood fluctuations and a negative self-image. Some even experience non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like burning or cutting themselves or having trouble sleeping.
It's also important to note that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times in a woman's life due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD tend to have more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or going through menopausal. A few societal beliefs about gender and behavior could determine if symptoms are spotted. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood swings could be misinterpreted as symptoms of depression, and your forgetfulness and lack of organization could be interpreted as part of a woman's "female qualities."
Although these issues can be frustrating but there are steps you can take to get the help and support you require. It's best to start with your primary physician who can refer to an expert in mental health for evaluation. In addition, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their abilities to manage their time and develop better coping strategies. They may benefit from working with a career counselor or joining an organization for support.
It is important to remember that the treatment of ADHD for women is similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It's also crucial to consult your doctor about any medical conditions you might have, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may be unable to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. Your symptoms could have been missed in the early years, or you might have learned to cover them up to cope. In addition, gender stereotypes can make it harder for women to receive a diagnosis. Women who suffer from ADHD could be misdiagnosed as "high-functioning," or as having "mood disorders."
You must meet certain criteria to be diagnosed with ADHD. The first requirement is to have five ongoing symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with work or school life. It is also crucial to have had these symptoms since before you turned 12 years old. Second, the symptoms should cause significant problems in two different settings such as at work or at home. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You'll also have to have a physical examination to rule out medical causes for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizures. You will likely be required to take psychological tests, such as a behavior rating scale or checklist. The examiner may ask you questions regarding your past and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also ask you to talk with people who are familiar with you, like close friends and family members. The person who evaluates you will use their findings to prepare a report for you.
In some instances an evaluator could determine that you don't have ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms aren't severe or very specific, and do not affect your daily functioning. They could also rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Consult your primary physician to refer you to a specialist if you are seeking a physician who can evaluate you for ADHD. adhd in women uk can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance provider or check with local university-based hospitals to find a health care professional who treats adults suffering from ADHD. adhd in adult women treatment can also join an ADHD support group and ask for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD is a common problem for women, even though it is more common among boys and men. It is more difficult for women to seek treatment since they tend to hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to keep appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.
Females who live with ADHD might also feel pressure to meet different social expectations. They may be expected to take care of their children, manage multiple tasks at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially challenging for women who suffer from impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. It is essential that women with these symptoms get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication treatment.
Stimulant medications are typically the first option for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs can be used as a substitute for stimulants, such as atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv) and viloxazine(Kapvay). A medical professional must monitor the medication to ensure that it is administered at the appropriate dose.
There are a variety of lifestyle strategies available to help people with ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise as well as healthy eating, sleeping hygiene and other lifestyle choices can be helpful. Stress management strategies and workplace and homelife accommodations are also helpful. Some women find relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option for treating depression and anxiety, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD.
Based on your particular situation depending on your specific situation, a combination of treatments could be the best option for you. Your doctor will consider your lifestyle, age, and severity of symptoms when creating an appropriate treatment plan. They will also consider any other health issues you might have, as well as any drug interactions or side effects to watch out for. They will also take into account the effect of hormonal fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause. This will allow them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. The use of medication can improve your ability and mood to focus.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that ADHD research focuses on men and boys. This could result in health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of women and girls. This means that women have less access than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available to women suffering from ADHD and a greater understanding of their unique symptoms.
ADHD in women can lead to problems with relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem. It can also cause women to abuse substances or other unhealthy coping strategies for coping, like binge-eating. The symptoms may change throughout the course of life. Hormonal fluctuations, like, can influence the severity of symptoms. The mood swings can be misinterpreted by others as depression or anxiety and can delay the diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to identify adult ADHD. This tool was created specifically for women and it uses real-life experiences to create questions which a healthcare professional is able to answer. It will help women identify their most frequent ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be provided to a doctor.
The test requires a person to answer 18 questions that are broken down by the four core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and two other symptom areas. Based on your answers, a score is calculated that reflects the severity of the symptoms. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool is not able to substitute for a thorough evaluation of your situation. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women with ADHD seek treatment, they usually experience a change in their lives that improves dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, prepare them to be successful at work and school and help them become more aware of themselves. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be achieved by joining an online support group or by finding an ADHD coach with experience working with female clients.