ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role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. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria could play a part in.
Doctors use a patient interview and sometimes ask people who are familiar with the patient -- like spouses, siblings, or even friends -- to assess symptoms.
The symptoms of adult ADHD are different at different times, like during menstrual periods or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. However, they can also affect relationships, work and life in general.
Symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be very frustrating and lead to feelings of insecurity. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these problems don't originate from you and have nothing to have anything to do with your actions or character.
ADHD symptoms in women vary, but the most common symptoms are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty staying focussed. You may also have difficulty keeping track of your tasks, be in trouble at work or school, feel restless or anxious constantly or have issues managing your finances or maintaining your relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Women may even engage in non-suicidal acts of self-injury, such as burning or cutting themselves, or have difficulty sleeping.
It is also important to remember that the symptoms of ADHD in women can differ at different times in the woman's life due hormonal changes. Women with ADHD may experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle, or pregnancy, and when they're going through menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior can influence whether symptoms are noticed. If you're a female with ADHD for instance your impulsiveness and mood swings could be interpreted as a sign of depression. Your inattention and lack of coordination could be interpreted as "female characteristics."
These issues can be frustrating, but there are steps you can follow to get the help and support you require. It's best to begin with your primary doctor, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an 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. You can also work with an expert in career counseling or join a support group.
It's also important to note that the treatment for ADHD in women is similar to that for men, and it can include medications like stimulants. You should also discuss with your physician any issues that may be causing the problem, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may be unable to receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. Your symptoms could have been missed in childhood, or you could have learned to mask them as a means of coping. Women also may have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from ADHD could be incorrectly identified as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."
To be diagnosed with ADHD you must meet certain requirements. The first requirement is to have five ongoing symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with work or school life. It is also essential to have experienced these symptoms since before you turned 12. The other requirement is to have major problems caused by symptoms in two different settings, such as at home or at work. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You'll also need to have a physical examination to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizure disorders. adhd in women adult will likely be required to take psychological tests like the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask questions about how you've managed your symptoms in the past. They may also ask you to speak with people who are familiar with you, including close friends and family members. The results of the evaluator will be used to create an evaluation report that you can read.
In certain instances, the evaluator will conclude that you don't suffer from ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms are not severe or extremely specific, and do not affect your daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if you have other mental health issues which could trigger similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Consult your primary physician to refer you to a specialist if you are in search of a doctor who can assess you for ADHD. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company, or local universities, to locate an expert who treats ADHD adults. You can also join a support group for ADHD and ask members for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, yet it is more prevalent in boys and men. However, conversational tone 's often harder for females to access treatment than men due to the way they mask their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.
Females who suffer from ADHD might also feel pressure to meet different social expectations. They might be required by society to care for their children, play various roles at work, and maintain a stable relationship. This can be especially challenging for women who suffer from impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. Because of this, it is particularly important for women with these signs to undergo regular psychiatric assessments 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 that can be used in lieu of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional must be monitoring the medication to ensure that it is taken in the right dosage.
In addition to medications There are a range of lifestyle strategies that can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise, healthy eating, sleep hygiene and other strategies for living can help. Techniques for managing stress including adjustments to work and at home and stress management techniques could be helpful. Psychotherapy can assist women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. These conditions are often co-occurring with ADHD.
Based on the specificity of your particular situation You may be able to benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will consider your age, lifestyle, and severity of symptoms when creating the plan. They will also take into account any other health issues that you may have and whether there are any drug interactions or adverse effects to be concerned about. They will also consider the impact of hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal. This will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. Medicines can help boost your mood and increase your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. ADHD research is mostly focused on boys and men. This can cause healthcare providers and educators to miss 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 more resources for women suffering from ADHD and they are more aware of their symptoms.
ADHD in women can cause problems with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also result in addiction to substances and unhealthy coping strategies like eating too much. The symptoms may change throughout the course of life. Hormonal fluctuations, for instance can affect the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression or anxiety by other people, which could further delay an accurate diagnosis.
A new online tool for screening for adults with ADHD has been developed by the World Health Organization. This tool was specifically designed for women and utilizes the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It can help identify women's 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 will be calculated that reflects the severity of symptoms. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool cannot replace a full evaluation of your situation. It is best used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they typically experience a change in their lives that improves dramatically. The right treatment options can improve relationships, set them up for success in the workplace and in school and help them understand themselves better. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be achieved by joining a support group or locating an ADHD coach who has experience working with female clients.