ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and are not treated for ADHD. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be at work.
Doctors interview patients and consult with those who are familiar with them such as spouses, siblings, or friends to evaluate their symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at different periods. For instance when menstrual cycles are in full swing, pregnancy or menopausal changes. They can impact relationships at work, as well as life in general.
Symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often are not diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be very frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. It is important to remember that these issues don't originate from you and have nothing to do with have anything to do with your behavior or personality.
The symptoms of ADHD for women may differ between individuals but the most typical are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty in staying focused. There are also issues when it comes to paying attention or finishing tasks, and may end up in trouble at work or at school, having difficulty maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and feeling constantly anxious and stressed all the time. Many women also experience emotional distress such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Some women even engage in non-suicidal acts of self-injury, such as burning themselves or cutting themselves or have difficulty sleeping.
It's also important to note that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times of a woman's life due to hormonal changes. Women who suffer from ADHD may experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy, and when they're going through menopausal. A few societal beliefs about gender and behavior can affect the degree to which symptoms are recognized. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD and you exhibit impulsive behavior, your symptoms or mood swings could be misinterpreted as signs of depression, and your forgetfulness and lack of organization could be interpreted as a sign of "female traits."
These issues can be frustrating However, there are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you need. It's a good idea always to begin by talking with your primary physician, who can refer to an expert in mental health for an evaluation. Additionally, women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their ability to organize their lives and develop better coping methods. You can also talk to an expert in career counseling or join a support group.
It is important to remember that the treatment of ADHD in women can be similar to that of men and may include stimulants. It's also crucial to talk to your doctor about any underlying issues you may have, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may be unable to receive an diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms could be a result of childhood, or you could have learned to cover them up as a means of coping. Women also may be more difficult to get diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. Women who have ADHD may be incorrectly identified 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's also crucial to have the history of these symptoms beginning 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 be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis.
You should also undergo an examination to determine the cause of your symptoms, like thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You'll likely have to take psychological tests, too, such as a checklist or behavior rating scale. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask questions about how you've managed your symptoms in the past. They may also request to talk to people who know you well, including family and close friends. The evaluator's findings will be used to produce an evaluation report that you can look over.
In certain instances the evaluator might conclude that you don't suffer from ADHD. They might conclude that your symptoms, while minor or specific, don't affect your daily functioning. They may also rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health conditions which could trigger similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety.
If you want to find a doctor to evaluate you for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary doctor for recommendations. They can recommend an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance provider or check with local university-based hospitals to find a health care specialist who can treat 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, it also has a significant impact on women. It is harder for women to seek treatment due to the fact that they tend to mask their symptoms. Symptoms can range from forgetting appointments to not being able to work in noisy or crowded environments.
Females with ADHD may also be pressured to conform to different social norms. They might be required by society to care for their children, perform various roles at work, and maintain a stable relationship. This can be particularly challenging for women with impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. It is crucial that women with these symptoms get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication treatment.
Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medicines that can be used in place of stimulants include the atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional should monitor the medication to ensure that it is taken in the right dose.
In addition to medication There are a range of lifestyle choices that can assist people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise as well as sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and other lifestyle strategies can be helpful. Techniques to manage stress, workplace and homelife adjustments and stress management techniques could be helpful. Psychotherapy can aid women who are suffering from their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option for treating depression and anxiety, which are often co-occurring issues with ADHD.
Depending on your unique situation A combination of treatments may be best for you. Your doctor will consider your lifestyle, age, and symptom intensity when developing a plan. They will also consider any other health issues you might have, and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This will help them determine the appropriate dosage and type of medication for you. Medicines can help stabilize your mood and improve your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. ADHD research is primarily focused on males and boys. This can cause healthcare providers and educators to miss the symptoms of women and girls. This also means women are not as accessible as men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully it is changing. There are more resources available for women with ADHD and they are more aware of their symptoms.
ADHD in women can cause problems with relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead women to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating. The symptoms can also change during different phases of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can affect the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression or anxiety by other people, which could further delay an accurate diagnosis.
A new online tool to screen for adults with ADHD has been developed by the World Health Organization. This screening tool is designed specifically for women and utilizes the experiences of real people to create questions that can be answered by a medical professional. It helps determine the most common ADHD symptoms for women. It also 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. Based on your answers, a score is calculated to determine the severity of the symptoms. The screening tool is free to use and can be completed online. It is important to remember that it is not a substitute for a full assessment of your condition. adhd symptoms women should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment often notice that their life quality increases dramatically. The right treatment can improve relationships, aid them in achieving success at work and at school, and allow them to better understand themselves. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be done by joining a support system or finding a coach with expertise working with women.