ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and are not treated appropriately. Gender bias and outdated criteria can be a factor.
Doctors conduct a patient interview and sometimes ask people who are familiar with the patient -- such as spouses, siblings, or even friends to look into the symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at different periods. For instance, during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. They can affect relationships, work, and life generally.
Symptoms
Women and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) are often not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and cause feelings of helplessness. It's crucial to remember that these issues are not your fault and do not have anything to do with the way you conduct yourself or the you're like.
ADHD symptoms in women can be varied in severity, but the most frequent ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You might also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, find yourself in trouble at work or school you feel anxious or irritable constantly or have trouble managing your finances or keeping relationships. Many women suffer from emotional stress, including mood swings and a negative self-image. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal, which includes activities like cutting or burning, or have trouble sleeping.
It's also important to keep in mind that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times in the woman's life due hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles or pregnancy or going through menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior can influence whether symptoms are noticed. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood changes may be interpreted as signs of depression, and your lapses of memory and apathy could be seen as part of a woman's "female traits."
While these differences are frustrating, there are ways to receive the help and support you need. It's always a good idea to start with your primary physician and ask them to refer you to an expert in mental health for evaluation. Some women suffering from ADHD are also benefited by improving their organization skills and develop better strategies for dealing with stress. They may also benefit from working with a career counselor or joining an organization for support.
It's important to know that the treatment for ADHD for women is similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. You should also discuss with your physician any existing conditions, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be hard to diagnose ADHD as an adult. You may have missed your symptoms as a child or figured out how to hide them. Women also may struggle to be diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women with ADHD might be mistakenly diagnosed as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."
You must meet certain requirements 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 important to have experienced these symptoms prior to the time you reached the age of 12. The other requirement is to have major problems caused by symptoms in two settings, such as at home or at work. Additionally, the symptoms must be present for at least six months to qualify as a diagnosis.
You'll also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out any medical causes for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizure disorders. signs and symptoms of adhd in women may also be asked to take psychological tests such as the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The evaluator may ask you questions about your history and how you dealt with your symptoms. They might also ask you to talk with people who know you, like close family members and friends. The evaluation's findings will be used to create the report you will be able to read.
In some cases the evaluator may decide that you don't have ADHD. They might conclude that your symptoms, while minor or specific, don't interfere with your daily functioning. They might exclude the condition, if you suffer from other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, which may cause similar symptoms.
Consult your primary physician for a referral if are seeking a physician who can test your symptoms for ADHD. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or check with local university-based hospitals to locate a health care specialist who can treat adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask the members for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, despite the fact that it is more common among boys and men. However, it's often more difficult for females to seek treatment than males because of the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting appointments to not being able work in noisy or busy environments.
Females who live with ADHD may also be under pressure to meet various societal expectations. They may be expected by society to look after their children, play multiple roles at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially difficult for those who have impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. For this reason, it is crucial for women with these symptoms to have regular psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medication. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medicines that are suitable for use in place of stimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional should monitor the medication to ensure that it is taken at the correct dosage.
There are a variety of ways to live a healthy lifestyle that can help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise and sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and other lifestyle strategies can aid. Stress management strategies and home and work-life arrangements are also helpful. Psychotherapy can aid women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option and can help with depression and anxiety, both of which can be co-occurring disorders with ADHD.
Depending on the uniqueness of your particular situation You may be able to benefit from a combination therapy. Your doctor will take into account your age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms when creating a plan. They will also consider any other health problems you may have, and if there are any drug interactions or side effects that you need to be aware of. They will also take into account the impact of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause. This will allow doctors to prescribe the appropriate dosage and type of medication to you. Medicines can help boost your mood and increase your ability to focus.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, including the fact that ADHD research focuses on men and boys. This can lead healthcare professionals and educators to overlook symptoms of women and girls. This also means women have less access than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully it is changing. There are now more resources for women with ADHD and a greater understanding of their specific symptoms.
ADHD in women can lead to problems with relationships, school and workplace performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also lead to substance abuse and unhealthy coping behaviors, such as eating too much. The symptoms can also change during different phases of life. For instance, changes in hormone levels can alter the severity of the symptoms. Mood swings are often misinterpreted by others as anxiety or depression, which can delay the diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to diagnose adult ADHD. The tool was developed specifically for women, and uses real-life situations to create questions which a healthcare professional is able to answer. It can help identify women's most frequent ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be shared with 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. A score is calculated, which shows the severity of your symptoms based upon your responses. The screening tool can be completed online and is completely free. It is important to remember that the screening tool cannot substitute for a thorough evaluation of your condition. It is best used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women with ADHD seek treatment, they typically experience a change in their lives that increases dramatically. The right treatment options can improve relationships, prepare them to be successful at the workplace and in school and help them to understand themselves better. Support systems are also crucial. This can be achieved by joining a support group or locating an ADHD coach with worked with female clients.