ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often misdiagnosed with ADHD and are not treated appropriately. The gender bias and outdated criteria could be a factor.
Doctors interview patients and ask people who are familiar with them like spouses or siblings to evaluate their symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can alter at different times. For example during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal changes. However, they can interfere with relationships, work and life in general.
Symptoms
Women and people who are assigned female at birth, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. They may also receive a misdiagnosis. This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of insecurity. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these problems are not a result of you and have nothing to do with your behavior or personality.
ADHD symptoms in women vary and the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focused. You may also have difficulty staying focused or completing your tasks, be in trouble at work or school and feel anxious or restless all the time or have issues managing your finances or maintaining your relationships. In addition, many women suffer from emotional stress, including mood fluctuations and a negative self-image. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury such as burning or cutting, or have trouble sleeping.
It's important to note that the signs of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of the woman's life or career. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, women who suffer from ADHD often have worse symptoms during menstrual cycles or pregnancy or going through menopause. In addition, some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior may determine if a person's symptoms will be recognized. If you're a female suffering from ADHD, for example, your impulsiveness or mood swings could be interpreted as a sign of depression. Your lack of organization and forgetfulness might be seen as "female characteristics."
These differences can be frustrating however there are steps you can take to get the support and help you require. It's always an ideal idea to begin with your primary physician who can refer you to an expert in mental health to be evaluated. In addition, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their abilities to manage their time and develop better coping strategies. They could also benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.
It's also important to know that the treatment for ADHD in women is the same to that of men, and can include medications such as stimulants. It's also crucial to talk to your doctor about any other issues you may have, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. The symptoms you experience may be a result of 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."
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 important to have experienced these symptoms before you turned 12. The symptoms must cause significant problems in two different settings such as at work or at home. The symptoms must be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis.
You must also have an examination to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You're likely to undergo psychological tests as well like an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The examiner will review your past and ask you questions about how you've dealt with your symptoms in the past. They may also ask you to talk with people who are familiar with you, such as close friends and family members. The results of the evaluator will be used to produce a report that you can go through.
In some instances, an evaluator may determine that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms, although slight or specific, do not interfere with your daily functioning. They might rule out the condition, when you have other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, which could cause similar symptoms.
Consult your primary physician for a referral if you are seeking a physician who can assess you for ADHD. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance company or inquire at the local hospital affiliated with a university to find a health care professional who treats adults with ADHD. You can join a support group for ADHD and ask members for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD affects many women, even though it is more prevalent among boys and men. However, it's often more difficult for females to seek treatment than males because of the way they mask their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting appointments to being unable to work in noisy or crowded environments.
Females who live with ADHD may also be under pressure to meet various social expectations. They could be expected to look after their children, juggle many tasks at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be particularly difficult for women who suffer from impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. Because of this, it is crucial for women suffering from these conditions to be regularly evaluated for psychiatric disorders and medication treatment.
Stimulant medications are typically the first option for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs can be used as a substitute for stimulants, including atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv) and viloxazine(Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a medical professional to make sure the proper dosage is being administered.
There are a variety of lifestyle strategies available to help people with ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise, healthy eating, sleeping hygiene, and other lifestyle strategies can be helpful. Techniques for managing stress including adjustments to work and at home and stress management techniques can be helpful. Some women experience relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option that can help with depression and anxiety, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD.
Based on your specific situation A combination of treatments could be appropriate for you. When creating the treatment plan, your doctor will take into account factors like age, lifestyle, and the severity of symptoms. They will also take into consideration any other health issues you might have, and should there be any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the impact of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. Certain medications can help improve your ability and mood to concentrate.
Support
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed. ADHD research is usually focused on boys and men. This could result in healthcare providers and educators missing the symptoms of girls and women. Also, women are not as accessible as men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available for women with ADHD and a greater awareness 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 lead to addiction to substances and unhealthy coping behaviors like binge eating. The symptoms can vary throughout various stages of life. Hormonal fluctuations, like, can influence the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often misinterpreted by others as anxiety or depression which could delay a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to diagnose adult ADHD. This tool was specifically designed for women and uses the experiences of real people to create questions that can be answered by a health professional. It helps determine the most common ADHD symptoms for women and provides information that can be shared with 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 the answers you provide. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool can't substitute for a thorough evaluation of your condition. It is best used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they typically discover that their life quality improves dramatically. The right treatment can improve relationships, prepare them for success at school and at work and help them to become more aware of themselves. Support systems are also crucial. This can be accomplished by joining an online support group or by finding an ADHD coach who has worked with female clients.