ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often not diagnosed and undertreated for ADHD. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be the cause.
Doctors interview patients and ask those who are familiar with them like spouses siblings, friends, or family members to look into the symptoms.
Adult symptoms of ADHD can vary at different times, like during menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause. They can impact relationships, work, and life generally.
Symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are often not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of helplessness. But, it's important to keep in mind that these problems are not your fault and do not have any connection with how you behave or what you're like.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can differ among individuals, but the most common are forgetfulness, disorganization, and difficulty staying focused. You might also have trouble when it comes to paying attention or finishing tasks, and may end up in trouble at school or work, having difficulty maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and feeling restless and anxious constantly. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood swings or a negative view of themselves. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal that includes things like cutting or burning or having trouble sleeping.
It's also important to note that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times in women's lives due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or when they go through menopause. A few societal beliefs about gender and behavior can influence whether symptoms are noticed. For instance women with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood swings can be misinterpreted as signs of depression, and your forgetfulness and lack of organization could be interpreted as part of a woman's "female qualities."
While these differences can be a source of frustration, there are steps you can take to receive the help and support you need. It's a good idea always to begin with your primary doctor, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Additionally, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their ability to organize their lives and develop better coping methods. They may also benefit from working with a career counselor or joining a support group.
It's important to know that the treatment of ADHD for women is similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It's also important to consult your doctor about any other conditions you might be suffering from, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms could have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could 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 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 a a history of these symptoms beginning before the age of 12 years old. The other requirement is to have major problems caused by the symptoms in two settings such as work or home. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You'll also have to undergo a physical exam to rule out any medical causes for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You'll likely have to take psychological tests as well like an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The evaluator may ask you questions regarding your past and how you dealt with your symptoms. They might also request that you speak with people who are familiar with you, like family members and close friends. The evaluator's findings will be used to write an evaluation report that you can read.
In some instances, the evaluator will conclude that you don't suffer from ADHD. They might say that your symptoms aren't severe or very specific, and do not hinder your daily activities. They may also rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
If you're looking to find a doctor who can evaluate you for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary care physician for recommendations. They can refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance provider or check at the local hospital affiliated with a university to find a health care professional who treats adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask for recommendations.
Treatment
While ADHD is more prevalent in males and females but it also affects a significant number of women. It is more difficult for women to get treatment because they tend to hide their symptoms. Symptoms can range from forgetting appointments to not being able to work in noisy or crowded environments.
Women suffering from ADHD may feel pressured to live up to society's expectations. They may be expected to look after their children, take on multiple roles in the workplace and maintain stable relationships. This can be particularly challenging for women with impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. It is important that women suffering from these conditions get regular psychiatric examinations and also medication treatment.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using stimulant drugs. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medicines that can be used in lieu of stimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a medical professional to make sure the proper dosage is being used.
There are many ways to live a healthy lifestyle that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. These include exercise, sleep hygiene and healthy eating. Stress management techniques such as workplace and homelife adjustments and stress management techniques could be beneficial. Psychotherapy can assist some women with their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good option for anxiety and depression. These conditions are 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 developing a treatment plan your doctor will consider aspects like the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues you might have, and if there are any drug-related side effects or interactions to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopausal. This will enable them to prescribe the right type and dosage medication for you. The use of medication can help improve your mood and your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that ADHD research focuses on boys and men. This could result in healthcare professionals and educators not understanding the symptoms of women and girls. This also means women are not as accessible as men to screening tools and treatments. Fortunately, that is changing. There are now adhd in women for women suffering from ADHD and a greater awareness of their specific symptoms.
ADHD in women can lead to difficulties with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to use drugs or unhealthy strategies for coping, such as binge-eating. Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. For instance, changes in hormone levels can alter the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression or anxiety by others, which can delay the diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to identify adult ADHD. This tool was specifically designed for women and utilizes the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It will help women identify their most common ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be shared with a physician.
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 tool for screening can be completed online and is free. It is important to keep in mind that it's not a replacement for a full assessment of your condition. It should only be utilized in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women with ADHD seek treatment, they often discover that their life quality improves significantly. The right treatment options can improve relationships, set them up to be successful at work and school and help them learn to understand themselves better. Support systems are also essential. You can achieve this by joining a support system or finding a coach who has previous experience working with women.