ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often underdiagnosed and undertreated for ADHD. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria could be a factor.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask those who know the patient well such as spouses, siblings or family members -- to assess symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can alter at various times. For example, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms. They can impact relationships as well as 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 frustrating, and cause feelings of powerlessness. However, it's important to remember that these difficulties are not your fault and do not have anything to do with how you behave or what kind of person you are.
The signs of ADHD in women can differ between individuals however the most frequent are apathy, disorganization, and difficulty staying focused. You may also experience trouble when it comes to paying attention or completing tasks, causing difficulties at work or school and having trouble maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and feeling constantly anxious and stressed constantly. Many women also experience emotional distress such as mood swings or a negative view of themselves. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like cutting or burning, or have trouble sleeping.
It's also important to keep in mind that the symptoms of ADHD in women can differ at different times of women's lives due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or going through menopause. Additionally, certain social attitudes regarding gender and behavior could determine if a person's symptoms will be recognized. For instance when you're a woman with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood swings can be interpreted as symptoms of depression, and your forgetfulness and apathy could be seen as a part of the woman's "female characteristics."
Although these issues can be frustrating but there are ways to get the help and support you need. It's best to start with your primary physician, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional to conduct an evaluation. In addition, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping methods. You can also work with a career counsellor or join an online support group.
It's important to know that the treatment of ADHD in women can be similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It's also crucial to consult your doctor about any other conditions you might have like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may have difficulty getting an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. You might have not noticed your symptoms in childhood or learned to mask them. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from ADHD could 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 is also crucial to have had these symptoms since before you reached the age of 12. The second requirement is to have significant issues triggered by the symptoms in two environments like at home or at work. Additionally the symptoms have to be present for more than six months to qualify as a diagnosis.
You'll also need to have a physical examination to rule out medical causes for your symptoms. This could be thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You'll likely take psychological tests, too like a checklist or behavior rating scale. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask you questions about how you've managed your symptoms in the past. They might also ask you to talk with people who know you, like close family members and friends. The evaluator will use their findings to create the report you need.
In some cases an evaluator might conclude that you don't have ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms are not severe or very specific, and don't affect your daily functioning. They might exclude the condition, when you have other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, that could cause similar symptoms.
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral if you are looking for a doctor who can assess your symptoms for ADHD. They may suggest an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or check at the local hospital affiliated with a university to find a medical professional who treats adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask the members for recommendations.
Treatment
Although ADHD is more prevalent in males and females however, it has a significant impact on women. It is more difficult for women to receive treatment since they are more likely to hide their symptoms. Symptoms range from forgetting to keep appointments to being unable work in noisy environments.
Women with ADHD may feel pressured to meet societal expectations. They could be expected by society to look after their children, play different roles at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be particularly difficult for those with hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is essential for women suffering from these issues to receive regular psychiatric evaluations, and also 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 can be substituted for stimulants, like atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv), and viloxazine(Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a medical professional to make sure the proper dosage is being administered.
In addition to medication in addition, there are a number of lifestyle strategies that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise as well as sleep hygiene, healthy eating and other lifestyle choices can help. Techniques for managing stress such as workplace and homelife adjustments and stress management techniques can be helpful. Psychotherapy can help some women with their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a good option for anxiety and depression. These conditions often co-occurring with ADHD.
Based on your particular situation, a combination of treatment options might be best for you. When determining attention deficit disorder in women plan your doctor will take into account factors like the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. 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 hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopausal. This will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication to you. Medications may help increase your ability and mood to focus.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, such as the fact that ADHD research focuses on men and boys. This can lead healthcare professionals and educators to miss the symptoms that women and girls experience. This also means that women are denied access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources for women suffering from ADHD and they are better aware of their symptoms.
ADHD in women can cause difficulty with relationships, school and workplace performance, and self-esteem. It can also cause women to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping for coping, like binge-eating. The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. For instance, fluctuations in hormones can impact the severity of the symptoms. Mood swings are often interpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression which could delay a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to diagnose adult ADHD. This screening tool was designed specifically for women and it uses real-life experiences to generate questions that a healthcare professional could answer. It will 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. A score is calculated, which reveals the severity of your symptoms based on the answers you provide. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to remember that the screening tool can't substitute for a thorough evaluation of your situation. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they usually find their quality of living improves significantly. The right treatment can enhance relationships, assist them in achieving success in work and school, and help them to gain a better understanding of themselves. It is also vital to have support systems in place. You can achieve this by joining a support system or by finding a coach with previous experience working with women.