ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and are not treated for ADHD. The gender bias and outdated criteria can play a role.
Doctors conduct a patient interview and may ask those who know the patient well -- like spouses, siblings or family members to evaluate symptoms.
Symptoms of adult ADHD can vary at different times, such as during menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause. They can still affect relationships, work, and life generally.
Signs and symptoms
Women and people who are assigned female at birth, (AFAB), often go undiagnosed. Sometimes, they are given a misdiagnosis. This can be very frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. It's crucial to remember that these issues are not your fault and don't have anything to do with how you act or what you're like.
ADHD symptoms in women can be varied in severity, but the most frequent ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have trouble keeping track of your tasks, be in trouble at work or school and feel anxious or restless all the time, or have difficulty managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood swings or a negative view of themselves. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal that includes things like burning or cutting themselves, or have trouble sleeping.
It's important to note that the symptoms of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of women's work or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuation. Women who suffer from ADHD may experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy, and during menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior could determine if symptoms are spotted. If you're a female suffering from ADHD for instance, your impulsiveness or mood changes could be mistaken as a sign of depression. Your inattention and lack of coordination may be considered "female characteristics."
While these differences are frustrating There are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you need. It's best to start with your primary physician, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Some women suffering from ADHD are also benefited by learning how to improve their organizational skills and develop more effective strategies for coping. You can also work with a career counsellor or join an online support group.
It's also worth noting that the treatment for ADHD in women is the same to the treatment for men, and can include medication such as stimulants. It is also essential to talk to your doctor about any medical issues you may have, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to diagnose ADHD as an adult. You may have missed your symptoms as a child or learned to disguise them. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. navigate here with ADHD may be mistakenly diagnosed 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 is also important to have experienced these symptoms prior to the time you reached the age of 12. The symptoms must cause major problems in two different settings such as at work or at home. The symptoms must also be present for at least six months in order to qualify as a diagnoses.
You should also undergo a physical exam to determine if there is a medical cause for your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems. You're likely to undergo psychological tests, too, such as an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The examiner might ask you questions about your history and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They might also request that you speak with people who are familiar with you, including family members and close friends. The evaluation's findings will be used to create an evaluation report that you can look over.
In some instances, an evaluator may decide that you do not have ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms aren't severe or extremely specific, and do not affect your daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety.
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral if are looking for a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They may recommend psychologists or psychiatrists who is specialized in ADHD. Alternately, you can contact your insurance company or inquire 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 group members for suggestions.
Treatment
Although ADHD is more prevalent in boys and men but it also affects a large 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.
Women suffering from ADHD may feel pressured to meet societal 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 women who suffer from hyperactive, impulsive, or combination symptoms. It is crucial that women with these symptoms get regular psychiatric examinations and also 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 medicines can be substituted for stimulants, like atomoxetine(Strattera),guanfacine(Intuniv), and viloxazine(Kapvay). A medical professional must monitor the medication to ensure that it is taken at the right dosage.
There are a variety of lifestyle strategies available to help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise, sleep hygiene, healthy eating and other strategies for living can be helpful. Techniques for managing stress and workplace and homelife accommodations can also be helpful. Psychotherapy can aid some women with their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option for treating anxiety and depression, which are sometimes co-occurring conditions that are associated with ADHD.
Based on the specificity of your particular situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will take into consideration your age, lifestyle, and the severity of your symptoms when forming the plan. They will also take into consideration any other health issues you might have, and should there be any drug interactions or side effects that you need to be aware of. They will also take into account the effects of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual period as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. This will enable them to prescribe the correct dosage and type of medication to you. The use of medication can help boost your mood and increase your ability to focus.
Support
Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, such as the fact that ADHD research focuses on boys and men. This can lead to healthcare professionals and educators not understanding the symptoms of girls and women. This means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Fortunately things are changing. There are now more resources for women suffering from ADHD and a greater understanding of their particular symptoms.
ADHD in women can result in difficulties with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also result in alcohol abuse and unhealthy coping habits, such as binge eating. Symptoms can also vary during different stages of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can affect the severity of the symptoms. The mood swings can be misinterpreted by others as depression or anxiety which could delay a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to identify adult ADHD. The tool has been designed specifically for women and utilizes the experiences of real people to formulate questions that can be answered by a healthcare professional. It helps identify the most common ADHD symptoms in women. It also 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. Based on your answers, a score will be calculated that indicates the severity of the symptoms. The screening tool is free and can be completed online. It is important to remember that the screening tool is not able to replace a thorough assessment of your condition. It should only be used along with an ADHD consultation.
When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they often find their quality of living improves dramatically. The right treatment can enhance relationships, help them achieve success at work and at school, and also allow them to gain a better understanding of themselves. Support systems are also important. This can be done by joining a support system or finding a coach who has expertise working with women.