ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and treated in a way that is not adequate. The gender bias and outdated criteria can be a factor.
Doctors conduct a patient interview and sometimes ask those who know the patient such as spouses, siblings or friends to look into the symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at various periods. For example when menstrual cycles are in full swing, pregnancy, or menopause. They can affect relationships, work, and life in general.
Signs and symptoms
Women and people 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 helplessness. However, it's important to remember that these difficulties are not your fault and do not have anything to do with the way you act or what kind of person you are.
ADHD symptoms in women can be varied and the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focussed. There are also issues when it comes to paying attention or working on tasks, getting into trouble at work or at school or having difficulty keeping relationships and managing your finances, and being anxious and agitated all the time. Many women also experience emotional distress such as mood shifts or a negative opinion of themselves. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury that includes things like cutting or burning, or have trouble sleeping.
It's also important to keep in mind 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 might experience more severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle, or pregnancy, and when they're going through menopause. In addition, societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior could affect whether a person's symptoms are noticed. If you're female and suffer from ADHD for instance, your impulsiveness or mood swings could be interpreted as a sign of depression. Your forgetfulness and disorganization might be seen as "female characteristics."
These issues can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to get the support and help you require. high functioning adhd in women 's always an ideal idea to begin with your primary physician and ask them to refer you to an expert in mental health for evaluation. Additionally, women with ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their ability to organize their lives and develop better coping methods. You can also work with an expert in career counseling or join a support group.
It's also worth noting that the treatment for ADHD in women is the same to that of men, and can include medications such as stimulants. It is also recommended to discuss with your doctor about any underlying conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to diagnose ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your the early years, or you might have learned to mask them as a means of coping. Women also may struggle to be diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. Women who suffer from 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 crucial to have the history of these symptoms beginning before the age of 12 years old. Second, the symptoms should cause significant problems in two different settings, such as at work or at home. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis.
You'll also have to undergo a physical exam to rule out any medical causes for your symptoms. This could be thyroid problems or seizures. You will likely be required to take psychological tests like the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask you questions about how you've handled your issues in the past. They may also request to speak to people who know you well, like family and close friends. The results of the evaluator will be used to write an evaluation report that you can look over.
In some instances, an evaluator may conclude that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms, though minor or specific, do not affect your daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if you have other mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
If you want to find an expert to test you for ADHD, ask your primary health care provider for recommendations. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. You can also call your insurance provider, or local universities, to locate an expert who can treat ADHD adults. You can join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for suggestions.
Treatment
While ADHD is more common for males and boys however, it affects a significant number of women. It is more difficult for women to seek treatment due to the fact that they tend to mask their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not remembering appointments to being unable to work in noisy or crowded environments.
Females who suffer from ADHD may also feel pressure to meet different social expectations. They may be expected by society to take care of their children, play various roles at work, and maintain stable relationships. This can be particularly difficult for those who have impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. It is important that women suffering from these conditions get regular psychiatric examinations and also medication management.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. 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), guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a medical professional to ensure that the right dose is being used.
There are a variety of lifestyle strategies available to help people suffering from ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise and healthy eating, sleeping hygiene and other strategies for living can help. Stress management strategies as well as home and workplace accommodations are also helpful. Women may find relief from their symptoms by pursuing psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option that can help with depression and anxiety, both of which are often co-occurring issues with ADHD.
Based on the specificity of your situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination treatment. When developing adhd in older women , your doctor will take into account factors such as the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. They will also take into account any other health issues you might have, as well as any drug interactions or side effects to watch out for. They will also factor in the effects of hormonal fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will enable them to determine the appropriate dosage and type of medication for you. Medications can help to boost your mood and increase your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women suffering from ADHD are often not diagnosed. 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 women and girls. It also means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Fortunately, that is changing. There are now more resources for women with ADHD and a greater understanding of their unique symptoms.
ADHD in women can lead to difficulties with relationships, school and job performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also result in alcohol abuse and unhealthy coping strategies, such as eating too much. The symptoms can also change at different stages of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can alter the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be interpreted as depression and anxiety by other people, which could delay a proper diagnosis.
A new online tool to screen for adults with ADHD was created by the World Health Organization. This tool was created specifically for women and utilizes real-life situations to create questions that a healthcare professional could answer. It can help identify women's most common ADHD symptoms and provide details 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. Based on your answers, a score is calculated that reflects the severity of symptoms. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to remember that it's not a replacement for an assessment of your condition and should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment frequently notice that their life quality is greatly improved. The right treatment can improve relationships, assist them in achieving success in work and school, and also allow them to understand themselves better. Support systems are also crucial. This can be done by joining a support group or finding an ADHD coach who has previous experience working with female clients.