ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD and treated inadequately. A lack of understanding and gender biases could be at play.
Doctors interview patients and ask people who are familiar with them such as spouses or siblings to assess the symptoms.
Symptoms of adult ADHD are different in different periods, such as during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. They can affect relationships as well as work and life generally.
Symptoms
Women and those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be very frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. It's crucial to remember that these issues are not your fault and do not have any connection with how you act or what kind of person you are.
ADHD symptoms in women differ, but the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focussed. You may also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, find yourself in trouble at work or school and feel anxious or restless all the time, or have difficulty managing your finances or maintaining your relationships. In addition, many women experience emotional distress, such as mood fluctuations and a negative self-image. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like cutting or burning or experiencing sleep problems.
It's also important to keep in mind that the symptoms of ADHD in women can differ at different times of a woman's life due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or going through menopause. Certain beliefs about gender and behavior may also influence whether symptoms are noticed. If you're a female with ADHD, for example, your impulsiveness or mood swings could be interpreted as a sign of depression. Your lack of organization and forgetfulness might be seen as "female characteristics."
These differences can be frustrating, but there are steps that you can follow to get the assistance and support you need. It's a good idea always to begin by talking with your primary physician, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional to conduct an evaluation. Additionally, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping methods. You can also work with an expert in career counseling or join an online support group.
It's also important to know that the treatment for ADHD in women is similar to that for men, and may include medications like stimulants. It's also important to consult your doctor about any other conditions you might be suffering from, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may struggle to get an diagnosis for ADHD. The symptoms you experience may have been missed in the early years, or you might have learned to cover them up as a means of coping. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from 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's also crucial to have a history of these symptoms that began before the age of 12. The other requirement is that you have major problems caused by symptoms in two settings, such as working or at home. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis.
You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizures. You'll likely have to take psychological tests, as well, such as the behavior rating scale. The examiner might ask you questions about your past and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also request to talk with people who know you well, such as family and close friends. The person who evaluates you will use their findings to prepare the report you need.
In some cases the evaluator might conclude that you don't suffer from ADHD. They might conclude that your symptoms, while slight or specific, don't hinder your everyday functioning. They could also rule out the condition if you have other mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
If you're looking to find a doctor who can evaluate you for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary doctor for an appointment. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who has expertise in ADHD. Alternatively, you can call your insurance provider or check with local university-based hospitals to locate a health care specialist who can treat adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for suggestions.
Treatment
Although ADHD is more prevalent for males and boys but it also affects a large number of women. It is more difficult for women to receive treatment due to the fact that they tend to hide their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not being able to keep appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.
Females with ADHD are also likely to be pressured to conform to different social norms. They could be expected by society to care for their children, take on different roles at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be particularly difficult for those who have hyperactive, impulsive, or combination symptoms. It is important that women suffering from these conditions get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication management.
Stimulant drugs are usually the first option for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medications that can be used in lieu of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a physician to make sure the proper dosage is being administered.
In adhd in older women to medications, there are a variety of lifestyle strategies that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. They can include sleep hygiene, exercise and healthy eating. Techniques for managing stress and home and work-life arrangements are also helpful. Women may find relief from their ailments by seeking psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. undiagnosed adhd in women are often co-occurring with ADHD.
Based on your specific situation depending on your specific situation, a combination of treatments could be best for you. When determining the treatment plan your doctor will take into account aspects like the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues you may have and whether there are any drug interactions or adverse effects to be concerned about. They will also take into account the effects of hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles or pregnancy, perimenopause, perimenopausal and menopause. This will allow doctors to prescribe the appropriate dosage and type of medication to you. Medicines can help stabilize your mood and improve your ability to focus.
Support
Women with ADHD are often overlooked. ADHD research is primarily focused on men and boys. This could result in health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of girls and women. This means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Fortunately, that is changing. There are more resources for women with ADHD and they are more aware of their symptoms.
ADHD in women and adhd can cause difficulty with relationships, school and work performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also result in alcohol abuse and unhealthy coping habits like binge eating. Symptoms can also vary during different phases of life. For instance, fluctuations in hormones can alter the severity of the symptoms. The mood swings could be interpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which could delay the diagnosis.
A new online tool for screening for adults with ADHD has been created by the World Health Organization. This tool was designed specifically for women and uses the experiences of real people to formulate 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 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. Scores are calculated, which indicates the severity of your symptoms based on your responses. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to remember that it is not a substitute for the complete evaluation of your condition and should only be utilized in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they often experience a change in their lives that increases dramatically. The right treatment can improve relationships, set them up to be successful at school and at work and help them to learn to understand themselves better. Support systems are also crucial. This can be done by joining a support system or by finding a coach with experience working with women.