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ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role

Women are often underdiagnosed and untreated for ADHD. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be at play.

Doctors use a patient interview and sometimes ask those who know the patient -- like spouses, siblings or friends to evaluate symptoms.

The symptoms of adult ADHD are different in different periods, such as during menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause. But they can still affect relationships, work, and life generally.

Signs and ADHD Symptoms in Women symptoms

Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and cause feelings of powerlessness. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these problems are not a result of you and have nothing to do with your actions or personality.

ADHD symptoms in women can be varied and the most common symptoms are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. You might also have difficulty staying focused or completing your tasks, get into difficulties at school or at work and feel anxious or restless all the time or have issues managing your finances or maintaining relationships. Many women also experience emotional distress such as mood shifts or a negative opinion of themselves. Some even experience non-suicidal self-injury such as burning or cutting or experiencing sleep problems.

It is important to remember that the signs of add in adult women of ADHD can differ based on the stage of a woman's career or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, women who suffer from ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during menstrual cycles and pregnancy or go through menopausal. Certain beliefs about gender and behavior can influence whether symptoms are noticed. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD, your impulsive behavior or mood swings can be misinterpreted as signs of depression, and your lapses of memory and disorganization may be seen as part of a woman's "female characteristics."

Although these issues can be frustrating but there are ways to get the help and support you need. It's always a good idea to start with your primary care doctor, who can refer you to an expert in mental health to be evaluated. Some women with ADHD also benefit from learning to improve their organization skills and develop better strategies for dealing with stress. They could benefit from working with a career coach or joining an organization for support.

It's important to note that the treatment of ADHD in women can be similar to the treatment of men and may include stimulants. It's also crucial to speak with your doctor about any other conditions you might have like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis

Adults may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. Your symptoms may have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could have learned to mask them to cope. In addition, gender stereotypes can make it harder for women to receive a diagnosis. Women who suffer from ADHD might 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's also important to have an history of these symptoms starting before you were 12 years old. The other requirement is that you suffer from major issues caused by symptoms in two settings like work or home. Additionally the symptoms must be present for more than six months to qualify as a diagnosis.

You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out medical reasons for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizure disorders. You may be required to take psychological tests such as the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The examiner will review your history and ask you questions about how you've managed your symptoms in the past. They may also request to talk to people who know you well, including close family members and friends. The evaluator will then use their findings to create an evaluation report for you.

In some instances, the evaluator will conclude that you don't suffer from adhd in women checklist. They might say that your symptoms, although slight or specific, do not hinder your everyday functioning. They could also rule out the condition if you suffer from other mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety.

Consult your primary physician for a referral if are looking for a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms for ADHD. They may recommend a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specialized in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance provider, or local universities, to locate a professional who treats ADHD adults. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask members for suggestions.

Treatment

ADHD is a common problem for women, yet it is more prevalent among males and females. It is harder for women to receive treatment since they tend to hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting appointments or being unable work in noisy environments.

Females with ADHD might also be pressured to conform to different social expectations. They could be expected to look after their children, juggle many roles in the workplace and maintain stable relationships. This can be a challenge for those who have hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. For this reason, it is particularly important for women suffering from these conditions to be regularly evaluated for psychiatric disorders 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 medicines that can be used in place of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). A medical professional should monitor the medication to ensure it is taken at the appropriate dose.

There are a variety of ways to live a healthy lifestyle that can help people with ADHD manage symptoms. Exercise as well as sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and other lifestyle strategies can aid. Stress management strategies and workplace and homelife accommodations can also be helpful. Women may find relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular option and can help with anxiety and depression, which are often co-occurring issues that are associated with ADHD.

Depending on the uniqueness of your particular situation depending on the specifics of your situation, you could benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will take into consideration your age, lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms when forming an appropriate treatment plan. They will also take into account any other health issues you might have and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the effect of hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause. This will allow them to determine the appropriate dosage and type of medication for you. Medications may help improve your mood and ability to focus.

Support

Women suffering from ADHD are often overlooked. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the fact that ADHD research is focused on boys and men. This could cause healthcare providers and educators to miss the symptoms that women and girls experience. This means that women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources available for women with ADHD, and they are better aware of the symptoms they suffer from.

ADHD in women can cause issues with relationships, school and job performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also result in addiction to substances and unhealthy coping strategies like binge eating. Symptoms may also change throughout the course of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can alter the severity of symptoms. Mood swings are often interpreted by others as anxiety or depression, which can delay the diagnosis.

A new online screening tool for adult ADHD is being created by the World Health Organization. This tool was designed specifically for women and utilizes the experiences of real people to create questions that can be answered by a medical professional. It will help identify women and attention deficit disorder's most common ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be passed on 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. Based on your answers, a score is calculated to determine the severity of symptoms. The screening tool is free to use and can be completed online. It is important to remember that it's not a replacement for the complete assessment of your condition and should only be utilized in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.

When women with ADHD seek treatment, they typically experience a change in their lives that increases dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, set them up for success at work and school and help them become more aware of themselves. It is also important to have support systems in place. This can be achieved by joining a support group or finding an ADHD coach with worked with female clients.