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ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role
Women are often overlooked and untreated for ADHD. A bias towards gender and outdated criteria can play a role.
Doctors interview patients and ask people who know them well such as spouses siblings, friends, or family members to assess symptoms.
Adult ADHD symptoms can change at various time points. For example during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal symptoms. They can affect relationships as well as work and life generally.
Signs and symptoms
Women and those who are born female, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. They may also receive an incorrect diagnosis. This can be very frustrating and can cause feelings of insecurity. But, it's important to remember that these issues are not your fault and don't have any connection with how you act or what kind of person you are.
The symptoms of ADHD in women can differ from person to person but the most typical are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty focusing. You may also have trouble keeping track of your tasks, get into trouble at work or school, feel restless or anxious all the time or have trouble managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Additionally, many women suffer from emotional distress, like mood shifts and a negative self image. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury that includes things like cutting or burning, 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. This is due to hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles or pregnancy or go through menopause. Additionally, certain social beliefs regarding gender and behavior may affect whether a person's symptoms are observed. If you're female and suffer from ADHD, for example your impulsiveness and mood changes could be mistaken as a sign of depression. Your forgetfulness and disorganization may be considered "female characteristics."
Although these issues can be frustrating 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 an expert in mental health for evaluation. Some women with ADHD are also benefited by learning how to improve their organization skills and create more effective strategies for coping. They could benefit from working with a career counselor or joining a support group.
It's also important to know that the treatment for ADHD in women is similar to that for men, and may include medication such as stimulants. It is also recommended to discuss with your doctor about any underlying conditions, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.
Diagnosis
It can be a challenge to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. You may have missed your symptoms as a child or figured out how to hide them. Women also may have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who have ADHD might 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 essential to have a a history of these symptoms that began before the age of 12 years old. The other requirement is that you suffer from major issues caused by symptoms in two settings such as work or home. The symptoms must also be present for at minimum six months to qualify as a diagnoses.
You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizures. You'll likely have to take psychological tests, as well, such as a checklist or behavior rating scale. The examiner may ask you questions about your past and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also request to talk to people who know you well, like family and close friends. The person who evaluates you will use their findings to write an evaluation report for you.
In some cases an evaluator might conclude that you don't have ADHD. They may conclude that your symptoms aren't severe or extremely specific, and don't affect your daily functioning. They may decide to rule out the condition in the event that you have other mental health issues like depression or anxiety, that may cause similar symptoms.
Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist if you are in search of a doctor 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 company or check at local hospitals affiliated with universities to find a health care professional who treats adults with ADHD. You can also join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for recommendations.
Treatment
ADHD affects many women, despite the fact that it is more prevalent in males and females. However, it's often more difficult for females to get treatment than males because of the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable work in noisy environments.
Women suffering from ADHD may be pressured to conform to social expectations. They might be expected by society to look after their children, take on multiple roles at work and maintain a stable relationship. This is particularly difficult for those with hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is essential for women suffering from these issues to get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication treatment.
Stimulant medication is usually the first choice for treating ADHD in adults. 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). The dosage of medications must be monitored by a medical professional in order to ensure that the correct dosage is being used.
In addition to medications There are a range of lifestyle choices that can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. They can include sleep hygiene, exercise, and healthy eating. Techniques to manage stress such as workplace and homelife adjustments and techniques for managing stress can be beneficial. Some women find relief from their ailments by seeking psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option that can help with anxiety and depression, which are often co-occurring issues with ADHD.
Depending on the uniqueness of your situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination of treatments. When determining a treatment plan, your doctor will consider factors like age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also take into consideration any other health issues you may have, as well as 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 menopause. undiagnosed adhd in women will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication to you. Certain medications can help increase your ability and mood to focus.
Support
Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. ADHD research is mostly focused on males and boys. This can result in health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of girls and women. Also, women have less access than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are now more resources available to women with ADHD and a greater awareness of their unique symptoms.
ADHD in women can cause problems with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to substance abuse or unhealthy coping strategies for coping, like binge-eating. The symptoms can also change during different phases of life. Hormonal fluctuations, like can impact the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often misinterpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression, which can delay a diagnosis.
The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to identify adult ADHD. This tool was created specifically for women, and utilizes real-life experiences to generate questions that a healthcare professional can answer. It will help identify women's most prevalent ADHD symptoms and provide details that can be shared to 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 indicates the severity of your symptoms based upon your responses. The test can be completed online and is absolutely free. It is important to keep in mind that it's not a replacement for the complete assessment of your condition and should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.
Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment often discover that their quality of life improves dramatically. The right treatment options can improve relationships, set them up to be successful at the workplace and in school and help them become more aware of themselves. Support systems are also essential. This can be achieved by joining an online support group or by finding an ADHD coach who has experience working with female clients.