ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often underdiagnosed and untreated for ADHD. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria could be a factor.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask people who know the patient well -- such as spouses, siblings or family members -- to assess symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at various time points. For example when menstrual cycles are in full swing, pregnancy or menopausal changes. But they can still affect relationships, work, and life in general.
Signs and symptoms
Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) often are not diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of 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 anything to do with how you conduct yourself or the kind of person you are.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary between individuals but the most typical are apathy, disorganization, and difficulty staying focused. You might also have trouble with paying attention or finishing tasks, causing trouble at work or at school, having difficulty maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and feeling restless and anxious all the time. 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 that includes things like burning or cutting themselves or having trouble sleeping.
It's important to note, too, that symptoms of ADHD may vary based on the stage of women's work or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuation. For instance, women who suffer from ADHD often have worse symptoms during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or when they go through menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior may also determine if symptoms are spotted. If you're a female with ADHD, for example, your impulsiveness or mood changes could be mistaken as a sign of depression. Your forgetfulness and disorganization may be considered "female characteristics."
While these differences can be a source of frustration but there are steps you can take to receive the help and support you need. It's best to begin by talking with your primary physician who can refer you to a mental healthcare professional to conduct an evaluation. Some women suffering from ADHD are also benefited by learning how to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping strategies. They may also benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.
It's important to know that the treatment for ADHD for women may 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 be suffering from like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could have learned to mask them to cope. Additionally, gender stereotypes can make it more difficult for women to receive a diagnosis. Women who have ADHD may be misdiagnosed as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must meet certain criteria. The first requirement is to have five ongoing symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with work or school life. It is also important to have experienced these symptoms before you turned 12. The other requirement is to have significant issues triggered by symptoms in two settings like at home or at work. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out medical causes for your symptoms. This could be thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You're likely to undergo psychological tests, too, such as an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The examiner will review your past experiences and ask questions about how you've managed your symptoms in the past. They may also request to talk with people who know you well, such as close family members and friends. The evaluator's findings will be used to create an evaluation report that you can look over.
In some instances an evaluator might decide that you do not have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms are not severe or very specific, and do not hinder your daily activities. Or, they might rule out the condition if you have other mental health issues that could cause similar symptoms, for example, anxiety or depression.
If you want to find a doctor to evaluate you for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary doctor for an appointment. They can recommend psychologists or psychiatrists who is skilled in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance company 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 for recommendations.
Treatment
While ADHD is more prevalent in males and females, it also affects a large number of women. However, it is often harder for females to access treatment than men due to the way they conceal their symptoms. Symptoms can range from forgetting appointments to not being able to work in noisy or busy environments.
Women with ADHD might feel pressured to live up to society's expectations. They could be expected to look after their children, manage multiple roles in the workplace and maintain stable relationships. This can be a challenge for those who have impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. It is essential for women suffering from these issues to undergo regular psychiatric assessments, and also medication treatment.
Stimulant medication is usually the first choice to treat ADHD in adults. 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) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional should monitor the medication to ensure that it is taken at the right dose.
There are numerous ways to improve the lifestyle of people suffering from ADHD manage symptoms. adhd women test , sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and other lifestyle strategies can aid. Techniques for managing stress and home and work-life arrangements can also be beneficial. Some women experience relief from their ailments by seeking psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a good option for anxiety and depression. These conditions often co-occurring with ADHD.
Depending on the uniqueness of your situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will take into account your age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms when creating the treatment plan. They will also consider any other health issues you may be suffering from and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to watch out for. They will also take into account the effects of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will enable them to determine the appropriate dosage and type of medication for you. Medicines can help stabilize your mood and improve your ability to focus.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that ADHD research focuses on males and females. This could cause healthcare providers and educators to miss symptoms of women and girls. Also, women are not as accessible as men to screening tools and treatments. Fortunately things are changing. There are more resources for women with ADHD, and they are more aware of the symptoms they suffer from.
ADHD in women can lead to problems with relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to substance abuse or unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating. Symptoms can also vary during different stages of life. For instance, fluctuations in hormones can affect the severity of the symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression or anxiety by other people, which could delay the diagnosis.
A new online screening tool for adults with ADHD is being developed by the World Health Organization. The tool has been specifically designed for women and uses the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It will help identify women's most common ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be shared to 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. Scores are calculated, which indicates the severity of your symptoms based on your responses. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to remember that it's not a replacement for a full assessment of your condition. It should only be utilized in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment frequently notice that their lives increases dramatically. The right treatment can improve relationships, help them achieve success at work and at school, and also allow them to better understand themselves. Support systems are also essential. This can be accomplished by joining a support group or finding an ADHD coach with worked with female clients.