ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role

Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and are not treated appropriately. Gender bias and outdated criteria may play a role.

Doctors use a patient interview and sometimes ask people who know the patient -- such as spouses, siblings, or even friends to look into the symptoms.

Adult ADHD symptoms can change at different periods. For example during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal symptoms. They can still affect relationships, work, and life in general.

Symptoms

Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of helplessness. It's crucial to keep in mind that these problems are not your fault and do not have anything to do with the way you conduct yourself or the kind of person you are.

ADHD symptoms in women can be varied and the most common ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focused. You might also have difficulty staying focused or completing your tasks, find yourself in trouble at work or school you feel anxious or irritable constantly, or have difficulty managing your finances or keeping relationships. 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 have trouble sleeping.

It's also important to note that the symptoms of ADHD in women can be different at different times in a woman's life due to hormonal changes. Women with ADHD may have more severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle, or pregnancy, and when they are going through menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and ADHD symptoms in women 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 can be mistaken for signs of depression, and your lapses of memory and apathy could be seen as a sign of "female qualities."

Although these issues can be frustrating but there are ways to receive the help and support you require. It's a good idea always to begin by talking with your primary physician, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation. Additionally, women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their abilities to manage their time and develop better coping methods. They may also benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.

It is important to remember that the treatment of ADHD for women is similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It's also important to consult your doctor about any medical conditions you might have, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis

Adults may struggle to get a diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could have learned to hide them as a means of coping. In addition, gender stereotypes can make it harder for women to receive a diagnosis. Women who suffer from ADHD might 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 had these symptoms since before you turned 12 years old. The other requirement is that you have significant issues triggered by symptoms in two different settings such as working or at home. The symptoms must also be present for at least six months in order to qualify as a diagnoses.

You will also need to have a physical examination to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms. This could be thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You're likely to undergo psychological tests, as well, such as an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The examiner will review your past experiences and ask questions about how you've dealt with your symptoms in the past. They may also talk to people who know you well, including family and close friends. The evaluation's findings will be used to create an evaluation report that you can look over.

In certain cases an evaluator could conclude that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms, though minor or specific, Adhd symptoms in Women do not affect your daily functioning. They could exclude the condition, when you have other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, that could cause similar symptoms.

Consult your primary physician to refer you to a specialist if you are in search of a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They may suggest a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in ADHD. Alternatively, you can call your insurance company or inquire with local university-based hospitals to find a health care professional who treats adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask for recommendations.

Treatment

Although ADHD is more common in boys and men, it also affects a large number of women. However, it's more difficult for females to seek treatment than males due to the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not being able appointments or being unable work in noisy environments.

Females who live with ADHD may also be under pressure to meet various social expectations. They could be expected by society to take care of their children, play multiple roles at work and maintain a stable relationship. This can be especially difficult for those who have impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. For this reason, it is essential for women with these symptoms to undergo regular psychiatric assessments and medication treatment.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using stimulant drugs. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs can be used as a substitute for stimulants, like atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv) and viloxazine(Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a medical professional in order to ensure that the correct dosage is being administered.

In addition to medications, there are a variety of lifestyle strategies that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise, sleep hygiene, healthy eating and other lifestyle choices can be helpful. Techniques for managing stress as well as home and workplace accommodations can also be beneficial. Psychotherapy can help women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option and can help with depression and anxiety, both of which are sometimes co-occurring conditions that are associated with adhd in adult women symptoms.

Based on the uniqueness of your particular situation, you may benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will take into consideration your age, lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms when forming an appropriate plan. They will also take into account any other health issues you may be suffering from and whether there are any drug interactions or adverse effects to be concerned about. They will also factor in the effect of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This will enable them to determine the appropriate type and dosage of medication for you. Medications may help improve your ability and mood to focus.

Support

Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that ADHD research is focused on boys and men. This can cause healthcare providers and educators to miss symptoms that women and girls experience. This means that women are denied access to screening tools and treatment options. Fortunately it is changing. There are now more resources available to add women suffering from ADHD and a greater understanding of their specific symptoms.

ADHD in women can cause problems with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also result in substance abuse and unhealthy coping behaviors like binge eating. The symptoms can also change during different stages of life. Hormonal fluctuations, like, can influence the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often interpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression, which can delay the diagnosis.

A new online tool for screening for adults with ADHD was created by the World Health Organization. This screening tool was designed specifically for women and uses real-life experiences to create questions that a healthcare professional can answer. It helps determine the most common ADHD symptoms for women and 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. A score is calculated, which indicates the severity of your symptoms based upon your responses. The screening tool is free to use and can be completed online. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool can't replace a thorough assessment of your condition. It is best used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.

Women with adhd in women assessment who seek treatment discover that their quality of life increases dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, set them up to be successful at school and at work and help them learn to understand themselves better. Support systems are also crucial. This can be achieved by joining a support group or locating an ADHD coach with previous experience working with female clients.