ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and treated inadequately. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria can play a part in.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask those who are familiar with the patient -- like spouses, siblings or friends to look into the symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can alter at different time points. For example, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms. 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 frustrating and can cause feelings of despair. However, it's important to remember that these difficulties are not your fault and do not have any connection with how you behave or what you're like.
ADHD symptoms in women differ and the most common symptoms are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. You may also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, be in difficulties at school or at work and feel anxious or restless constantly, or have difficulty managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Women may even engage in non-suicidal actions of self-injury like cutting or burning themselves, or experience difficulty sleeping.
It is also important to remember that the symptoms of ADHD in women can differ at different times of women's lives due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or going through menopause. In addition, societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior could influence whether someone's symptoms are recognized. For instance when 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 lack of organization could be interpreted as a sign of "female qualities."
These nuances can be a source of frustration however there are steps you can take to get the support and help you need. It's best to start with your primary physician, who can refer 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. They could also benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.
It is important to remember that the treatment of ADHD in women can be similar to that of men and may include stimulants. It is also essential to talk to your doctor about any underlying issues you may have like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to diagnose ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could have learned to cover them up as a means of coping. Women may also be more difficult to get diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women with ADHD may be mistakenly diagnosed as "high-functioning," or as having "mood disorders."
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 essential to have had these symptoms prior to the time you reached the age of 12. The other requirement is to have major problems caused by the symptoms in two environments such as work or home. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You should also undergo an examination to determine the cause of your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid issues. You may be required to take psychological tests, such as the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The examiner will take a look at your history and ask questions about how you've dealt with your symptoms in the past. They might also request that you speak with people who know you, like close family members and friends. The evaluation's findings will be used to produce an evaluation report that you can go through.
In certain instances, the evaluator will determine that you don't have ADHD. They might conclude that your symptoms, while mild or specific, don't interfere with your daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example, anxiety or depression.
Ask your primary care physician to refer you to a specialist if you are looking for a doctor who can assess your symptoms for ADHD. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or local universities to find an expert who can treat ADHD adults. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask members for recommendations.
Treatment
While ADHD is more common in males and females but it also affects a large number of women. However, it's often more difficult for females to seek treatment than males due to the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not being able appointments or being unable to work in noisy environments.
Females who suffer from ADHD might also feel pressure to meet different social expectations. They could be expected to take care of their children, juggle many tasks at work and maintain a stable relationship. This can be especially difficult for those who have impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. It is essential that women suffering from these conditions get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication management.
Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice to treat ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medications can be substituted for stimulants, such as atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv), and viloxazine(Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a physician to ensure that the right dose is being used.
In addition to medications in addition, there are a number of lifestyle strategies that can assist people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise as well as healthy eating, sleeping hygiene and other lifestyle choices can aid. Techniques for managing stress as well as home and workplace accommodations are also helpful. inattentive add in women can help women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. These conditions often co-occurring with ADHD.
Depending on the uniqueness of your particular situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination of treatments. When creating an appropriate treatment plan your doctor will take into account aspects like age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also take into consideration any other health problems you may have, and if there are any drug side effects or interactions to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This will enable them to prescribe the correct dosage and type of medication for you. Medications may help increase your ability and mood to focus.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, including the fact that ADHD research is focused on boys and men. This can lead healthcare professionals and educators to miss the symptoms in girls and women. This also means women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources for women with ADHD and they are better aware of the symptoms they suffer from.
ADHD in women can cause issues with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating. The symptoms can also change at different stages of life. Hormonal fluctuations, for example can affect the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often misinterpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression which could delay a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to identify adult ADHD. This screening tool was designed specifically for women, and uses real-life experiences to generate questions that a healthcare professional could answer. It will help women identify their most prevalent ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be passed on 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. Based on your answers, a score is calculated that indicates the severity of symptoms. The screening tool is free to use and can be completed online. It is important to remember that the screening tool can't replace a full evaluation of your situation. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women with ADHD seek treatment, they usually discover that their life quality improves significantly. The right treatment can improve relationships, help them achieve success at work and in school, and allow them to better understand themselves. Support systems are also essential. You can achieve this by joining a support group or finding a coach with experience working with women.