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ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role

Women are often not diagnosed and untreated for ADHD. The gender bias and outdated criteria could be at work.

Doctors interview patients and ask people who know them well, such as spouses or siblings to look into the their symptoms.





Adult ADHD symptoms can change at different periods. For instance during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal changes. They can impact relationships as well as work and life in general.

Signs and symptoms

Women and those who are assigned female at birth, (AFAB), often are not diagnosed. They may also receive an incorrect diagnosis. This can be frustrating, and lead to feelings of powerlessness. It is important to remember that these difficulties are not a result of you and have nothing to be related to your actions or personality.

The symptoms of ADHD in women can vary from person to person, but the most common are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. You may also experience trouble with paying attention or working on tasks, getting into difficulties at work or school or having difficulty keeping relationships and managing your finances, and becoming constantly anxious and stressed all the time. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood fluctuations or a negative perception of themselves. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal that includes things like burning or cutting or having trouble sleeping.

It is also important to remember that the symptoms of ADHD in women may differ at different times in the woman's life due hormonal changes. For example, women with ADHD often have worse symptoms during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or when they go through menopausal. Certain beliefs about gender and behavior may also affect the degree to which symptoms are recognized. For instance when you're a woman with ADHD, your impulsive behavior or mood changes may be interpreted as signs of depression, while your forgetfulness and disorganization may be seen as a sign of "female characteristics."

These nuances can be a source of frustration However, there are steps that you can follow to get the support and help you need. It's best to begin with your primary doctor, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation. In addition, some women with ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their ability to organize their lives and develop better coping strategies. They may also benefit from working with a career counselor or joining an organization for support.

It's important to know that the treatment for ADHD in women can be similar to the treatment of men and may include stimulants. It is important to discuss with your physician any issues that may be causing the problem, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis

It can be hard to get a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your childhood, or you may have learned to cover them up to cope. Women can also have a harder time getting diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from ADHD could be misdiagnosed 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 essential to have experienced these symptoms before you reached the age of 12. Second, the symptoms should cause significant problems in two different settings, such as at work or at home. Additionally, the symptoms must be present for a period of more than six months in order to be considered a diagnosis.

You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out medical causes for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You could be required to take psychological tests like an assessment of your behavior or a checklist. The evaluator may ask you questions regarding your past and how you handled your symptoms. They may also request that you speak with people who know you, including family members and close friends. The evaluator will then use their findings to write an evaluation report for you.

In some cases the evaluator might determine that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms, while slight or specific, do not hinder your everyday functioning. Or, they might rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.

If you're looking for an expert to test your symptoms for ADHD, ask your primary care physician for an appointment. They can refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is an expert in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or local universities, to locate an expert who treats ADHD adults. You can join a support group for ADHD and ask the members for recommendations.

Treatment

ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, despite the fact that it is more prevalent in boys and men. It is more difficult for women to get treatment due to the fact that they are more likely to hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.

Women with ADHD might feel pressured to meet societal expectations. They may be expected to take care of their children, juggle many jobs, and maintain stable relationships. This can be especially difficult for those with hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is important that women with these symptoms undergo regular psychiatric assessments 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 are suitable for use in place of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). These medications should be closely monitored by a medical professional in order to make sure the proper dosage is being administered.

In addition to medications There are a range of lifestyle strategies that can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms. These can include exercise, sleep hygiene, and healthy eating. Stress management strategies as well as home and workplace accommodations can also be helpful. Some women find relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a good option for anxiety and depression. These conditions often co-occurring with ADHD.

Depending on the uniqueness of your situation, you may benefit from a combination of treatments. When developing an appropriate treatment plan, your doctor will consider aspects like age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues you might have and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to watch out for. They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. This will enable them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. Medicines can help boost your mood and increase your ability to focus.

Support

Women with ADHD are often not diagnosed. ADHD research is mostly focused on males and boys. This can cause healthcare providers and educators to miss the symptoms that women and girls experience. Also, women are not as accessible as men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully it is changing. There are more resources for women with ADHD and they are better aware of the symptoms they suffer from.

ADHD in women can cause difficulty with relationships, work and school performance, and self-esteem. It can also result in substance abuse and unhealthy coping habits like binge eating. Symptoms may also change at different stages of life. For instance, fluctuations in hormones can impact the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be interpreted as depression and anxiety by other people, which could further delay an accurate diagnosis.

women and adhd for adult ADHD was developed by the World Health Organization. This screening tool was designed specifically for women, and uses 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 provided 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 reveals the severity of your symptoms based on the answers you provide. The tool for screening can be completed online and is completely free. It is important to remember that the screening tool cannot replace a full evaluation of your situation. It should only be used along with an ADHD consultation.

When women with ADHD seek treatment, they often discover that their life quality improves dramatically. The right treatment can enhance relationships, aid them in achieving success at work and in school, and allow them to gain a better understanding of themselves. It is also vital to have support systems in place. You can achieve this by joining a support system or by finding a coach with experience working with women.