ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and untreated for ADHD. Gender bias and outdated criteria can be a factor.
Doctors interview patients and ask people who are familiar with them, such as spouses, siblings, or friends to assess symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can alter at various times. For example, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal changes. They can impact relationships at work, as well as life in general.
Signs and symptoms
Women and those who are assigned female at birth, (AFAB), often go undiagnosed. Or they receive a misdiagnosis. This can be a frustrating experience and cause feelings of powerlessness. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these issues are not a result of you and have nothing to be related to your actions or character.
The signs of ADHD in women can vary from person to person but the most typical are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have difficulty keeping track of your tasks, get into difficulties at school or at work and feel anxious or restless all the time or have issues managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal that includes things like burning or cutting themselves, or have trouble sleeping.
It is also important to remember 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 typically experience more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or when they go through menopausal. A few societal beliefs about gender and behavior could determine if symptoms are spotted. For instance when you're a woman with ADHD and you exhibit impulsive behavior, your symptoms or mood swings can be interpreted as signs of depression, and your lapses of memory and lack of organization could be interpreted as a sign of "female qualities."
Although these issues can be frustrating, there are steps you can take to receive the help and support you require. It's a good idea always to start with your primary physician, who can refer to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Women with ADHD can benefit from learning how to improve their organization skills and develop more effective strategies for coping. You can also talk to a career counselor or join a support group.
It's also important to note that the treatment for ADHD in women is the same to that of men, and may include medications like stimulants. It is also essential to speak with your doctor about any medical conditions you might be suffering from, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may be unable to receive an diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms may be a result of childhood, or you could have learned to mask them to avoid dealing with. Women also may 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 criteria 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 had these symptoms before you turned 12. The symptoms must cause significant problems in two different environments such as at work or at home. The symptoms must also 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 causes for your symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You will likely be required to take psychological tests like a behavior rating scale or checklist. The examiner may ask you questions regarding your past and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also speak to people who know you well, such as close friends and family members. The evaluator will use their findings to prepare a report for you.
In some instances the evaluator may decide that you don't have ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms are mild or extremely specific, and they don't affect your daily functioning. They could decide to rule out the condition in the event that you have other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, that can cause similar symptoms.
If you're looking to find an expert to test you for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary doctor for an appointment. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance provider or check at local hospitals affiliated with universities to locate a health care professional who treats adults with ADHD. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask the members for suggestions.
Treatment
While ADHD is more prevalent in boys and men but it also affects a significant number of women. However, it's harder for females to access treatment than males because of the way they conceal their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting appointments to not being able work in noisy or busy environments.
Women with ADHD might be pressured to conform to social expectations. They may be expected by society to take care of their children, take on various roles at work, and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially challenging for women who suffer from impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. Because of this, it is crucial for women with these symptoms to have regular psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medicines can be substituted for stimulants, like atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv) and viloxazine(Kapvay). The dosage of medications must be monitored by a physician to ensure that the right dose is being administered.
There are numerous ways to improve the lifestyle of people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise and healthy eating, sleeping hygiene, and other lifestyle strategies can help. Techniques to manage stress including adjustments to work and at home and stress management techniques could be beneficial. Psychotherapy can help women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option for treating anxiety and depression, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD.
Based on your particular situation depending on your specific situation, a combination of treatments may be the best option for you. adhd in women adults will take into account your lifestyle, age, and symptom intensity when developing a plan. They will also consider any other health issues you may have, as well as whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual period or pregnancy, perimenopause, perimenopausal and menopausal. This will help them determine the appropriate type and dosage of medication for you. The use of medication can improve your mood and ability to concentrate.
Support
Women who suffer 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 can lead to health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of girls and women. This also means women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Fortunately, this is changing. There are now more resources available for women with ADHD and a greater awareness of their particular symptoms.
ADHD in women can lead to difficulties with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also cause women to abuse substances or other unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating. Symptoms can also vary during various stages of life. For instance, changes in hormone levels can affect the severity of symptoms. The mood swings could be misinterpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which can further delay an accurate diagnosis.
A new online tool for screening for adults with ADHD was developed by the World Health Organization. This screening tool is specifically designed for women and uses the experiences of real people to formulate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It will help you determine the most common ADHD symptoms for women and provides 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. Scores are calculated, which indicates the severity of your symptoms based on the answers you provide. The screening tool can be completed online and is completely free. It is important to remember that the screening tool can't substitute for a thorough evaluation of your situation. It should only be used along with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they usually discover that their life quality improves dramatically. The right treatment can enhance relationships, assist them in achieving success in work and school, and help them to understand themselves better. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be done by joining a support system or finding a coach with experience working with women.