ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and are not treated for ADHD. The gender bias and outdated criteria could play a role.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask people who know the patient well -- such as spouses, siblings or friends -- to assess symptoms.
Adult symptoms of ADHD are different at different times, such as during menstrual periods or during pregnancy or menopausal. However, they can hinder relationships, work, and life in general.
Signs and symptoms
Women and people who are born female, (AFAB), often go undiagnosed. They may also receive an incorrect diagnosis. This can be very frustrating and can cause feelings of despair. However, it's important to remember that these issues are not your fault and don't have any connection with how you conduct yourself or the you're like.
ADHD symptoms in women can be varied, but the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have trouble staying focused or completing your tasks, find yourself in difficulties at school or at work you feel anxious or irritable constantly or have trouble managing your finances or maintaining your relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood swings or a negative view of themselves. Some even experience non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like burning or cutting themselves, or have trouble sleeping.
It's important to note that the symptoms of ADHD can differ based on the stage of the woman's life or career. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, women who suffer from ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy or going through menopausal. Additionally, certain social 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 swings can be misinterpreted as signs of depression, while your forgetfulness and disorganization may be seen as a part of the woman's "female qualities."
These issues can be frustrating however there are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you need. It's best to begin with your primary doctor, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional for 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 mechanisms. They may also benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.
It's also important to note that the treatment for ADHD in women is the same to that for men, and may include medication such as stimulants. It is important to discuss with your doctor any issues that may be causing the problem, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to diagnose ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms may be a result of childhood, or you may have learned to cover them up to avoid dealing with. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. Women who suffer from ADHD could be misdiagnosed 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 crucial to have experienced these symptoms since before you reached the age of 12. The other requirement is to have significant issues triggered by the symptoms in two settings like at home or at work. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis.
It is also necessary to undergo physical examinations to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues. You will likely also be asked to complete psychological tests such as an assessment of your behavior or a checklist. The examiner may ask you questions about your history and how you handled your symptoms. They may also request to talk with people who know you well, including family and close friends. The evaluation's findings will be used to produce the report you will be able to go through.
In certain instances the evaluator might decide that you don't have ADHD. They might conclude that your symptoms, although mild or specific, don't affect your daily functioning. They may rule out the condition, when you have other mental health issues like anxiety or depression, which may cause similar symptoms.
Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist if you are seeking a physician who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who has expertise in ADHD. You can also reach out to your insurance company or local universities, to locate an expert who can treat ADHD adults. You can join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, yet it is more common among males and females. However, it's more difficult for females to get 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 are also likely to feel pressure to meet different social norms. They might be expected to look after their children, take on multiple roles in the workplace and maintain a stable relationship. This can be especially challenging for those who have impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. For this reason, it is particularly important for women with these symptoms to undergo regular psychiatric assessments and medication treatment.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medications that are suitable for use in place of stimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a medical professional to make sure the proper dosage is being taken.
In addition to medications There are a range of lifestyle strategies that can assist people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise and healthy eating, sleep hygiene, and other lifestyle strategies can be helpful. Techniques for managing stress and workplace and homelife accommodations are also helpful. Some women experience relief from their ailments by seeking psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option that can help with depression and anxiety, which are often co-occurring issues that are associated with ADHD.
Depending on your unique situation depending on your specific situation, a combination of treatment options might be best for you. Your doctor will take into consideration your age, lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms when forming an appropriate treatment plan. They will also take into consideration any other health problems you might have, and whether there are any drug side effects or interactions to be aware of. They will also factor in the impact of hormonal fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will allow them to determine the best dosage and type of medication for you. The use of medication can help improve your mood and your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed. add symptoms in adult women is primarily focused on men and boys. This can result in healthcare providers and educators missing the symptoms of women and girls. This means that women are denied access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources available for women suffering from ADHD and they are more aware of the symptoms they suffer from.
ADHD in women can lead to difficulties 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 vary throughout different stages of life. For instance, changes in hormone levels can affect the severity of the symptoms. The mood swings could be interpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which can delay the 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 create questions that a healthcare professional could answer. It will help you determine the most common ADHD symptoms among women 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 indicates the severity of your symptoms based upon your responses. The tool for screening can be completed online and is absolutely free. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool is not able to replace a thorough assessment of your situation. It should only be used along with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they often discover that their life quality increases dramatically. The right treatment options can improve relationships, prepare them to be successful at work and 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 finding an ADHD coach who has experience working with female clients.