ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and undertreated for ADHD. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be the cause.
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 alter at various periods. For example, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms. However, they can interfere with relationships, work and life in general.
Symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of helplessness. It's important to remember, however, that these issues are not a result of you and have nothing to do with be related to your actions or character.
ADHD symptoms in women vary and the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, get into trouble at work or school, feel restless or anxious constantly, or have difficulty managing your finances or keeping relationships. Additionally, many women suffer from emotional distress, such as mood shifts and a negative self image. Some women even commit non-suicidal acts of self-injury like cutting or burning themselves, or are unable to sleep.
It's also important to note that the symptoms of ADHD in women can be different at different times in women's lives due to hormonal changes. For instance, women with ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy or going through menopausal. In addition, some societal attitudes regarding gender and behavior may influence whether someone's symptoms are noticed. If you're female and suffer from ADHD for instance, your impulsiveness or mood swings could be interpreted as signs of depression. Your inattention and lack of coordination could be interpreted as "female characteristics."
These differences can be frustrating, but there are steps that you can take to receive the assistance and support you need. It's always a good idea to start with your primary physician, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to be evaluated. adhd in women checklist suffering from ADHD can benefit from learning to improve their organization skills and create better strategies for dealing with stress. They may benefit from working with a career counselor or joining a support group.
It's also important to know that the treatment for ADHD for women is similar to that for men, and may include medications such as stimulants. You should also discuss with your doctor about any underlying conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may have difficulty getting an diagnosis for ADHD. You may have missed your symptoms as a child or learned to mask them. Women may also struggle to be diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women with ADHD might 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's also important to have the history of these symptoms beginning before the age of 12 years old. The second requirement is to suffer from major issues caused by symptoms in two settings like at home or at work. The symptoms must 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 seizure disorders. You're likely to undergo psychological tests as well like an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The evaluator will look at your history 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, such as family members and close friends. The evaluator will use their findings to write a report for you.
In certain instances the evaluator may decide that you don't have ADHD. They may say that your symptoms, although slight or specific, do not interfere with your daily functioning. They may also rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're looking to find an expert to test your symptoms for ADHD Ask your primary care physician for an appointment. They can recommend an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance provider or check at local hospitals affiliated with universities to locate a health care professional who treats adults with ADHD. You can join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for recommendations.
Treatment
While ADHD is more prevalent for males and boys but it also has a significant impact on women. However, it's often more difficult for females to seek treatment than males because of the way they conceal their symptoms. Symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.
Women suffering from ADHD may feel pressured to meet societal expectations. They might be required by society to care for their children, perform different roles at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially difficult for women with hyperactive, impulsive or other symptoms. It is crucial that women suffering from these conditions get regular psychiatric examinations and also medication treatment.
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 drugs that can be used in place of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional must monitor the medication to ensure it is taken at the right dose.
In addition to medications There are a range of lifestyle options that can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms. They can include sleep hygiene, exercise and healthy eating. Techniques for managing stress, workplace and homelife adjustments and techniques for managing stress can be beneficial. Some women find relief from their symptoms by pursuing psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. These conditions often co-occurring with ADHD.
Based on your specific situation, a combination of treatment options might be the best option for you. When determining an appropriate treatment plan the doctor will consider factors such as age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues that you may have, as well as any drug interactions or side effects to watch out for. They will also factor in the effect of hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will enable doctors to prescribe the appropriate type and dosage medication for you. Medications can help to boost your mood and increase your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. ADHD research is primarily focused on males and boys. This can lead healthcare professionals and educators to overlook symptoms in girls and women. This also means women have less access than men to screening tools and treatments. Fortunately, that 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 difficulties with relationships, school and workplace performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead women to use drugs or unhealthy strategies for coping, such as binge-eating. Symptoms can also vary during different stages of life. For instance, changes in hormone levels can impact the severity of the symptoms. These mood swings may be interpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which can delay a proper 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 situations to create questions that a healthcare professional could answer. It can help identify women's most prevalent ADHD symptoms and provide details that can be provided 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 to determine the severity of the symptoms. The screening tool can be completed online and is absolutely free. It is important to remember that it cannot replace a full evaluation of your condition and should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they usually experience a change in their lives that improves dramatically. The right treatment options can improve relationships, prepare them for success at the workplace and in school and help them to learn 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.