ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often misdiagnosed with ADHD and treated inadequately. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria may play a role.
Doctors interview patients and ask people who know them well, such as spouses or siblings to evaluate symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at various time points. For instance during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal symptoms. However, they can also hinder relationships, work, and life in general.
Signs and 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 can cause feelings of despair. It is important to remember that these difficulties are not a result of you and have nothing to do with have anything to do with your behavior or personality.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary among individuals but the most typical are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty in staying focused. You may also experience trouble with paying attention or completing tasks, and may end up in difficulties at work or school or having difficulty keeping relationships and managing your finances, and being anxious and agitated constantly. Many women suffer from emotional stress such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Women may even engage in non-suicidal acts of self-injury such as burning themselves or cutting themselves or experience difficulty sleeping.
It's important to know that the symptoms of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of women's work or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. Women who suffer from ADHD may experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as during menopause. Certain beliefs about gender and behavior may also influence whether symptoms are noticed. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood changes may be misinterpreted as signs of depression, and your lapses of memory and lack of organization could be interpreted as part of a woman's "female characteristics."
While these differences can be a source of frustration but there are ways to get the assistance and support you need. It's always a good idea to start with your primary care physician who can refer you to an expert in mental health to be evaluated. Some women with ADHD also benefit from learning how to improve their organization skills and develop better coping strategies. They could also benefit from working with a career counselor or joining a support group.
It's also important to note that the treatment for ADHD in women is similar to that of men, and may include medications like stimulants. You should also discuss with your physician 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 mask them to cope. Women also may be more difficult to get diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women with ADHD might be misdiagnosed 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 important to have a history of these symptoms starting before you were 12. The other requirement is that you suffer from major issues caused by the symptoms in two different settings, such as work or home. The symptoms must also 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, such as thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You will likely also be asked to take psychological tests, such as an assessment of your behavior or a checklist. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask you questions about how you've dealt with your symptoms in the past. They might also ask you to speak with people who know you, including close family members and friends. The evaluator will then use their findings to prepare a report for you.
In some instances the evaluator may decide that you don't have ADHD. They may say that your symptoms are mild or extremely specific, and don't interfere with daily functioning. They could also rule out the condition if you have other mental health conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety.
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral if you are seeking a physician who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They can recommend psychologists or psychiatrists who specializes in ADHD. Alternatively, you can call your insurance company or check at local hospitals affiliated with universities to find a medical professional who treats adults suffering from ADHD. You can also 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. It is more difficult for women to seek treatment because they tend to mask their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not remembering appointments to not being able to work in noisy or crowded environments.
Females who live with ADHD are also likely to be under pressure to meet various societal expectations. They could be expected to look after their children, manage multiple jobs, and maintain stable relationships. inattentive add in women can be particularly challenging for those who have hyperactive, impulsive or other symptoms. It is essential that women with these symptoms receive regular psychiatric evaluations and also medication treatment.
Stimulant medications are typically 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 lieu of stimulants include the 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.
There are a variety of ways to live a healthy lifestyle that can help people with ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise as well as sleep hygiene, healthy eating and other strategies for living can be helpful. Stress management strategies and home and work-life arrangements can also be beneficial. Some women experience relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective option for those suffering from depression and anxiety. These conditions are typically co-occurring with ADHD.
Based on the specificity of your particular situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination therapy. Your doctor will take into account your age, lifestyle, and symptom intensity when developing an appropriate treatment plan. They will also consider any other health problems you might have, and should there be any drug-related side effects or interactions to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This will help them prescribe the right type and dosage of medication for you. Medications may help improve your ability and mood to concentrate.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, such as the fact that ADHD research is focused on men and boys. This can result in health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of women and girls. This means that women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available for women suffering from ADHD and a greater awareness of their particular symptoms.
ADHD in women can cause issues with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also cause women to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping, such as binge-eating. The symptoms can also change during different phases of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can alter the severity of the symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression or anxiety by others, which could delay a proper diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to identify adult ADHD. This screening tool is designed specifically for women and draws on the experiences of real people to formulate questions that can be answered by a medical professional. It will help identify women's most frequent 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 will be calculated to determine the severity of symptoms. The screening tool can be completed online and is absolutely free. It is important to note that it cannot replace the complete assessment of your condition. It should only be utilized 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 can improve relationships, assist them in achieving success at work and at school, and help them to understand themselves better. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be accomplished by joining a support group or locating an ADHD coach with worked with female clients.