ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often not diagnosed and are not treated for ADHD. Gender bias and outdated criteria could play a part in.
Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask people who know the patient such as spouses, siblings or family members -- to assess symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at various periods. For instance, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal changes. However, they can affect relationships, work, and life in general.
Signs and symptoms
Women and people who are assigned female at birth, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. Sometimes, they are given an incorrect diagnosis. This can be very frustrating and lead to feelings of helplessness. It is important to remember that these problems do not come from you and have nothing to do with be related to your actions or personality.
The symptoms of ADHD for women may differ between individuals, but the most common are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty in staying focused. You may also experience trouble in focusing or working on tasks, causing trouble at school or work, having difficulty maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and feeling constantly anxious and stressed all the time. Additionally, many women suffer from emotional stress, including mood shifts and a negative self image. Women may even commit non-suicidal acts of self-injury, such as burning or cutting themselves, or are unable to sleep.
It is also important to remember that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times in 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 are going through menopausal. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior could affect the degree to which symptoms are recognized. If you're a female with 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 differences can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to receive the help and support you need. It's a good idea always to start with your primary doctor, who can refer you to a mental healthcare professional for an evaluation. Additionally, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their abilities to manage their time and develop better coping strategies. You can also consult with a career counsellor or join an online support group.
It's also important to know that the treatment for ADHD in women is similar to that for men, and can include medications such as stimulants. It is also recommended to discuss with your physician any existing conditions, like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may struggle to get a diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms could have been missed in the early years, or you might have learned to cover them up as a means of coping. Women may also be more difficult to get diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. Women who suffer from ADHD could be misdiagnosed as "high-functioning," or as having "mood disorders."
To receive a diagnosis of 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. adhd traits in women is also important to have experienced these symptoms prior to the time you turned 12 years old. Second, the symptoms should cause major issues in two different settings such as at work or at home. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You must also have physical examinations to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems. You could also be asked to take psychological tests such as a behavior rating scale or checklist. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask questions about how you've dealt with your symptoms in the past. They may also ask you to speak with people who know you, including close friends and family members. The person who evaluates you will use their findings to write a report for you.
In some instances the evaluator might decide that you don't have ADHD. They may say that your symptoms are mild or extremely specific, and do not interfere with daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions which could trigger similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety.
If you want to find a doctor to evaluate your symptoms for ADHD, ask your primary doctor for recommendations. They may suggest a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specialized in ADHD. You can also reach out to your insurance company or local universities, to locate an expert who can treat ADHD adults. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask the members for suggestions.
Treatment
While ADHD is more common in boys and men but it also has a significant impact on women. It is more difficult for women to get treatment due to the fact that they tend to mask their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to keep appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.
Females who suffer from ADHD are also likely to be under pressure to meet various societal expectations. They could be expected to care for their children, manage multiple jobs, and maintain a stable relationship. This can be particularly difficult for those with hyperactive, impulsive, or combination symptoms. This is why it is essential for women with these signs to be regularly evaluated for psychiatric disorders and medication treatment.
Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice to treat ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medications that can be used in place of stimulants include the atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a medical professional in order to ensure that the correct dosage is being used.
There are many ways to improve the lifestyle of people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. These can include sleep hygiene, exercise and healthy eating. Techniques for managing stress as well as home and workplace accommodations can also be beneficial. Psychotherapy can help women who are suffering from their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option and can help with anxiety and depression, which are often co-occurring issues that are associated with ADHD.
Based on the uniqueness of your situation, you may benefit from a combination therapy. When determining attention deficit disorder in women , your doctor will consider factors such as the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. They will also take into account any other health issues you may be suffering from and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be concerned about. They will also take into account the effects of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual period, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This will enable them to prescribe the correct type and dosage medication for you. Medicines can help improve your mood and your ability to concentrate.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, including the fact that ADHD research is focused on men and boys. This could result in healthcare professionals and educators not understanding the symptoms of women and girls. This means that women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available 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, and self-esteem. It can also lead women to use drugs or unhealthy coping strategies, such as binge-eating. The symptoms may change throughout the course of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can affect the severity of the symptoms. The mood swings could be misinterpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which could delay a proper diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to identify adult ADHD. This tool was designed specifically for women and uses the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a medical professional. It will help identify women's most frequent ADHD symptoms and provide details that can be passed on 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 reveals the severity of your symptoms based on the answers you provide. The test can be completed online and is absolutely free. It is important to remember that it cannot replace a full assessment of your condition and should only be utilized in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
add in women test suffering from ADHD who seek treatment discover that their quality of life improves dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, set them up to be successful at work and school, and help them become more aware of themselves. Support systems are also important. You can achieve this by joining a support network or by finding a coach with previous experience working with women.