ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role

Women are often not diagnosed and undertreated for ADHD. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be the cause.

Doctors conduct a patient interview and sometimes ask people who are familiar with the patient -- like spouses, siblings, or even friends to look into the symptoms.

adult add women ADHD symptoms can change at different times. For example during pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or menopause. They can still affect relationships, work, and life in general.

Symptoms

women with attention deficit disorder and those who are born female, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. Or they receive a misdiagnosis. This can be very frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. It's important to remember, however, that these problems are not a result of you and have nothing to do with do with your actions or personality.

ADHD symptoms in women differ in severity, but the most frequent ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focused. You might also have difficulty keeping track of your tasks, find yourself in trouble at work or school and feel anxious or restless constantly, or have difficulty managing your finances or keeping relationships. In addition, many women experience emotional distress, such as mood fluctuations and a negative self-image. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury that includes things like burning or cutting themselves or having trouble sleeping.

It's important to know that the symptoms of ADHD may vary based on the stage of a woman's career or life. This is due to hormonal changes. For instance, women with ADHD tend to have more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or go through menopause. Certain beliefs about gender and behavior may also determine if symptoms are spotted. If you're a female with ADHD for instance your impulsiveness and mood changes could be mistaken as a sign of depression. Your lack of organization and forgetfulness may be considered "female characteristics."

While these differences can be a source of frustration, there are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you need. It's always an ideal idea to begin with your primary physician and ask them to refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation. Some women with ADHD can benefit from learning how to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping strategies. You can also work with a career counselor or join a support group.

It is important to remember that the treatment for ADHD for women is similar to the treatment of men and may include stimulants. It is also essential to speak with your doctor about any underlying issues you may have, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis

Adults may struggle to get an diagnosis for ADHD. You may have missed your symptoms in childhood or figured out how to hide them. In addition, gender stereotypes can make it difficult for women to be diagnosed. adult add women who suffer from ADHD may be mistakenly diagnosed as "high-functioning," or as having "mood disorders."

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 crucial to have had these symptoms prior to the time you turned 12 years old. The symptoms must cause significant problems in two different settings 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 physical examinations to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems. You could be required to take psychological tests such as the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The evaluator may ask you questions about your history and how you handled your symptoms. They might also request that you speak with people who know you, including family members and close friends. The results of the evaluator will be used to create a report that you can go through.

In some cases, the evaluator will decide that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms aren't severe or extremely specific, and don't interfere with daily functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health issues which could trigger similar symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist if you are seeking a physician who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance provider or check at the local hospital affiliated with a university to find a health care specialist who can treat adults suffering from ADHD. You can also join a support group for ADHD and ask members for suggestions.

Treatment

While ADHD is more prevalent in males and females however, it affects a significant number of women. However, it's often more difficult for females to seek treatment than males due to the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms can range from not remembering appointments to not being able work in noisy or busy environments.

Females who live with ADHD are also likely to be pressured to conform to different social norms. They might be expected to take care of their children, manage multiple tasks at work and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially difficult for those with hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is crucial for women suffering from these issues to receive regular psychiatric evaluations and also medication treatment.

Stimulant drugs are usually the first choice for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medications that can be used in lieu of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). The dosage of medications must be monitored by a physician to ensure that the right dose is being administered.

There are numerous lifestyle strategies available to help people with adhd adult women treatment manage symptoms. These can include sleep hygiene, exercise and healthy eating. Techniques for managing stress and workplace and homelife accommodations are also helpful. Some women experience relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option for treating depression and anxiety, which can be co-occurring disorders with ADHD.

Depending on the uniqueness of your situation, you may benefit from a combination of treatments. When creating the treatment plan the doctor will consider factors such as age, lifestyle, and the severity of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues you may have, as well as if there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual period as well as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopausal. This will help them prescribe the right type and dosage of medication for you. Certain medications can help improve your ability and mood to concentrate.

Support

Women with ADHD are frequently underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, such as the fact that ADHD research focuses on males and females. This can result in healthcare providers and educators missing the symptoms of girls and women. This also means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully it is changing. There are more resources available for women with ADHD, and they are better aware of their symptoms.

ADHD in women can result in difficulties with relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also lead women to substance abuse or unhealthy strategies for coping like binge eating. The symptoms can also alter at different times in life. Hormonal fluctuations, like can impact the severity of symptoms. The mood swings could be interpreted as depression and anxiety by other people, which could further delay an accurate diagnosis.

The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to diagnose adult female adhd symptoms ADHD. This screening tool was designed specifically for women, and it uses real-life experiences to generate questions that a healthcare professional can answer. It will help women identify their most frequent ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be provided 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 reveals 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 keep in mind that the screening tool is not able to replace a full evaluation of your condition. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.

Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment find that their lives improves dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, prepare them for success at the workplace and in school and help them learn to understand themselves better. Support systems are also crucial. This can be achieved by joining an online support group or by finding an ADHD coach with worked with female clients.