ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and treated in a way that is not adequate. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be at work.
Doctors conduct a patient interview 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 times. For instance, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopausal symptoms. But they can still interfere with relationships, work and life in general.
Symptoms
Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are often not diagnosed or receive a misdiagnosis of ADHD. This can be frustrating, and cause feelings of powerlessness. But, it's important to remember that these issues are not your fault and do not have any connection with how you conduct yourself or the kind of person you are.
The symptoms of ADHD for women may differ between individuals however the most frequent are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, get into trouble at work or school you feel anxious or irritable all the time or have issues managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Additionally, many women experience emotional distress, like mood shifts 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 is important to remember that the symptoms of ADHD may vary based on the stage of a woman's career or life. adult add in women is due to hormonal fluctuation. For example, women with ADHD tend to have more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or go through menopausal. In addition, societal attitudes regarding gender and behavior could affect whether a person's symptoms are noticed. If you're female and suffer from ADHD for instance, your impulsiveness or mood changes could be misinterpreted as signs of depression. Your inattention and lack of coordination might be seen as "female characteristics."
While these differences can be a source of frustration, there are steps you can take to receive the help and support you require. It's always recommended to begin with your primary care doctor and ask them to refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. In addition, some women suffering from ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping methods. They may also benefit from working with a career coach or joining a support group.
It's important to note that the treatment for ADHD for women may be similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It is important to discuss with your doctor any issues that may be causing the problem, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
Adults may have difficulty getting an diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms may be a result of childhood, or you may have learned to mask them as a means of coping. In addition, gender stereotypes can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. Women who suffer from ADHD might be incorrectly identified as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."
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 essential to have a the history of these symptoms beginning before you were 12 years old. The second requirement is to suffer from major issues caused by symptoms in two environments such as working or at home. The symptoms must be present for at least six months in order to qualify as a diagnoses.
It is also necessary to undergo physical examinations to determine if there is a medical cause for your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You will likely be required to take psychological tests, such as an assessment of your behavior or a checklist. The examiner will take a look at your past experiences and ask questions about how you've handled your issues in the past. They may also speak to people who know you well, such as close friends and family members. The evaluator's findings will be used to produce the report you will be able to go through.
In some instances an evaluator could determine that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms, though mild or specific, do not affect your daily functioning. They might decide to rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, that can cause similar symptoms.
If you want to find an expert to test you for ADHD, ask your primary doctor for recommendations. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who has expertise 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 the group members for recommendations.
Treatment
While ADHD is more common for males and boys however, it affects a large number of women. It is more difficult for women to receive treatment since they tend to mask their symptoms. Symptoms can range from forgetting appointments to not being able work in noisy or busy environments.
Females who suffer from ADHD might also be pressured to conform to different social expectations. They may be expected to look after their children, juggle many tasks at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be a challenge for those who have impulsive, hyperactive, or combination symptoms. For this reason, it is particularly important for women suffering from these conditions to have regular psychiatric evaluations 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 atomoxetine (Strattera) and Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional must be monitoring the medication to ensure it is administered at the appropriate dose.
There are a variety of lifestyle strategies available to help people with ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise and healthy eating, sleep hygiene and other lifestyle choices can be helpful. Stress management strategies as well as home and workplace accommodations can also be beneficial. Psychotherapy can assist women who are suffering from their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option for treating anxiety and depression, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD.
Based on your particular situation, a combination of treatment options might be appropriate for you. Your doctor will consider your age, lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms when forming an appropriate plan. They will also consider any other health issues you may have, as well as if there are any drug-related interactions or side effects that you need to be aware of. They will also take into account the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This will enable doctors to prescribe the appropriate dosage and type of medication to you. Certain medications can help improve your mood and ability to concentrate.
Support
Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed. ADHD research is primarily focused on men and boys. This can lead to healthcare professionals and educators not understanding the symptoms of women and girls. This means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available to women with ADHD and a greater awareness of their specific symptoms.
ADHD in women can result in problems with relationships, school and workplace performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating. Symptoms can also vary during different phases of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can alter the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be interpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which could delay the diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to identify adult ADHD. This screening tool is specifically designed for women and draws on the experiences of real people to create 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 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. A score is calculated, which shows the severity of your symptoms based on your responses. The screening tool can be completed online and is free. It is important to remember that the screening tool cannot 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 increases dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, set them up for success in the workplace and in school and help them to become more aware of themselves. Support systems are also essential. You can achieve this by joining a support group or finding a coach who has experience working with women.