ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD and treated in a way that is not adequate. The gender bias and outdated criteria could be at play.
Doctors use a patient interview and sometimes ask people who are familiar with the patient such as spouses, siblings or family members to evaluate symptoms.
Symptoms of adult ADHD are different at different times, like during menstrual periods or during pregnancy or menopausal. But they can still hinder relationships, work and life in general.
Symptoms
Women and those who are deemed female at birth, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. They may also receive a misdiagnosis. This can be frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. adhd in older women to keep in mind that these problems are not your fault and do not have anything to do with how you conduct yourself or the kind of person you are.
ADHD symptoms in women can be varied in severity, but the most frequent ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focused. You may also have difficulty staying focused or completing your tasks, get into difficulties at school or at work you feel anxious or irritable all the time or have issues managing your finances or keeping relationships. In addition, many women suffer from emotional distress, like mood swings and a negative self-image. Some even experience non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like burning or cutting, or have trouble sleeping.
It's important to know that the symptoms of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of a woman's career or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuation. For instance, women with ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or go through menopausal. A few societal beliefs about gender and behavior may also 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 changes may be interpreted as signs of depression, while your forgetfulness and lack of organization could be interpreted as a sign of "female qualities."
These issues can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you require. It's always recommended to begin with your primary care doctor, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to be evaluated. In addition, some women with ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their abilities to manage their time and develop better coping strategies. You can also work with an expert in career counseling 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 like stimulants. It is also recommended to discuss with your doctor any existing conditions, like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. You may have missed your symptoms as a child or figured out how to hide them. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from ADHD could be mistakenly diagnosed as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."
To be diagnosed with ADHD You must meet certain requirements. The first requirement is to have five ongoing symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interfere with work or school life. It's also important to have the history of these symptoms starting before the age of 12 years old. The symptoms must cause significant problems in two different environments such as at work or at home. The symptoms must be present for at least six months in order to be considered a diagnosis.
You must also have an examination to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues. You'll likely have to take psychological tests, as well for example, the behavior rating scale. The examiner might ask you questions about your history and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also request to talk to people who know you well, such as close friends and family members. The person who evaluates you will use their findings to write the report you need.
In some instances an evaluator could decide that you do not have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms are not severe or extremely specific, and do not affect your daily functioning. They could exclude the condition, if you suffer from other mental health issues like depression or anxiety, that could cause similar symptoms.
If you're looking to find a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD and other disorders, ask your primary doctor for a referral. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. You can also call 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
ADHD affects many women, yet it is more prevalent among boys and men. It is more difficult for women to get treatment because they tend to mask their symptoms. Symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable work in noisy environments.
Women suffering from ADHD might feel pressured to meet societal expectations. They might be expected by society to take care of their children, play various roles at work, and maintain stable relationships. This can be a challenge for those who have hyperactive, impulsive, or combination symptoms. It is important that women with these symptoms undergo regular psychiatric assessments, and also medication treatment.
Stimulant medications are typically the first choice for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs that can be used in place of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a medical professional in order to make sure the proper dosage is being administered.
In addition to medications, there are a variety of lifestyle choices that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise as well as sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and other lifestyle strategies can help. Stress management techniques, workplace and homelife adjustments and stress management techniques could be helpful. Psychotherapy can aid women who are suffering from their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option for treating depression and anxiety, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD.
Depending on the uniqueness of your particular situation You may be able to benefit from a combination of treatments. When developing a treatment plan, your doctor will consider aspects like age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also take into consideration any other health issues you may have, and whether there are any drug-related interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also take into account the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual period or pregnancy, perimenopause, perimenopausal and menopausal. This will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. The use of medication can help stabilize your mood and improve your ability to focus.
Support
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed. ADHD research is primarily focused on men and boys. This can lead to health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of girls and women. This also means that women are denied access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources available for women suffering from ADHD, and they are better aware of the symptoms they suffer from.
ADHD in women can lead to difficulties with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to abuse substances or other unhealthy coping strategies for coping, like binge-eating. Symptoms can also vary during different stages of life. For adhd in women treatment , hormone fluctuations can alter the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often interpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression which could delay the diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to identify adult ADHD. The tool has been specifically designed for women and draws on the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It can help to identify the most prevalent ADHD symptoms in women and provide 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 shows the severity of your symptoms based on your responses. The screening tool is free to use 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 usually discover that their life quality improves significantly. The right treatment can improve relationships, prepare them for success at work and school and help them learn to understand themselves better. It is also essential to have support systems in place. You can do this by joining a support network or by finding a coach with expertise working with women.