ADHD in Women - Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role<br /><br />Women are often misdiagnosed with ADHD and treated inadequately. Gender bias and outdated criteria could play a role.<br /><br />Doctors conduct a patient interview and may ask those who know the patient well -- like spouses, siblings or family members -- to assess symptoms.<br /><br />Adult symptoms of ADHD can vary at different times, such as during menstrual periods or during pregnancy, as well as menopausal. They can impact relationships as well as work and life generally.<br /><br />Symptoms<br /><br />Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are often not diagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be frustrating, and can cause feelings of helplessness. It is important to keep in mind that these difficulties are not a result of you and have nothing to have anything to do with your actions or personality.<br /><br />ADHD symptoms in women differ and the most common symptoms are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing. There are also issues when it comes to paying attention or working on tasks, getting into trouble at school or work and having trouble maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and being restless and anxious constantly. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood shifts or a negative opinion of themselves. Many suffer from self-injury that is not suicidal such as cutting or burning, or have trouble sleeping.<br /><br />It is important to remember, too, that symptoms of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of the woman's life or career. This is due to hormonal changes. For instance, women with ADHD tend to have more severe symptoms during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or when they go through menopause. Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior may also determine if symptoms are spotted. If you're a female with ADHD for instance, your impulsiveness or mood changes could be misinterpreted as signs of depression. Your forgetfulness and disorganization may be considered "female characteristics."<br /><br />While these differences are frustrating but there are steps you can take to get the assistance and support you need. It's always recommended to begin with your primary physician and ask them to refer you to an expert in mental health for evaluation. Additionally, some women with ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their ability to organize their lives and develop better coping methods. You can also consult with a career counselor or join an online support group.<br /><br />It is important to remember that the treatment of ADHD for women may be similar to that of men and may include stimulants. It's also important to talk to your doctor about any medical conditions you might be suffering from, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder.<br /><br />Diagnosis<br /><br />It can be hard to diagnose ADHD as an adult. Your symptoms may have been missed in childhood, or you could have learned to hide them as a means of coping. Women may also be more difficult to get diagnosed due to stereotypes about gender. Women with ADHD could be misdiagnosed as "high-functioning" or as having a "mood disorder."<br /><br />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 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 also be present for at least six months in order to be considered a diagnosis.<br /><br />You will also need to undergo a physical exam to rule out medical reasons for your symptoms. This could include thyroid issues or seizure disorders. You'll likely take psychological tests, as well like an assessment of your behavior or a scale. The examiner might ask you questions about your history and the way you dealt with your symptoms. They may also talk to people who know you well, including family and close friends. The evaluator's findings will be used to produce an evaluation report that you can read.<br /><br />In some cases an evaluator might conclude that you don't have ADHD. They might say that your symptoms are mild or extremely specific, and do not hinder your daily activities. They may exclude the condition, when you have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, which could cause similar symptoms.<br /><br />Ask your primary care physician for a referral if you are seeking a physician who can assess your symptoms for ADHD. They may recommend psychologists or psychiatrists who is skilled in ADHD. You can also contact your insurance company or inquire 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 an ADHD support group and ask the members for suggestions.<br /><br />Treatment<br /><br />ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, even though it is more prevalent among males and boys. It is more difficult for women to seek treatment due to the fact that they tend to mask their symptoms. Symptoms range from forgetting to keep appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments.<br /><br />Women suffering from ADHD may feel pressured to live up to society's expectations. They might be required by society to look after their children, perform various roles at work, and maintain a stable relationship. This can be especially difficult for women with impulsive, hyperactive or combination symptoms. It is important that women with these symptoms undergo regular psychiatric assessments and also medication treatment.<br /><br />Stimulant medications are typically the first option for treating ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant medicines that can be used in lieu of stimulants include the atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). The dosage of medications must be monitored by a medical professional to make sure the proper dosage is being taken.<br /><br />There are many lifestyle strategies available to help people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise as well as healthy eating, sleep hygiene and other strategies for living can be helpful. Stress management techniques such as workplace and homelife adjustments and techniques for managing stress can be helpful. Psychotherapy can help some women with their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a good option for anxiety and depression. These conditions are typically co-occurring with ADHD.<br /><br />Based on your specific situation, a combination of treatments could be the best option for you. When determining a treatment plan the doctor will take into account aspects like the severity, age, and lifestyle of symptoms. They will also take into account any other health issues you may be suffering from and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also consider the effect of hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopausal. This will help them prescribe the right type and dosage of medication for you. The use of medication can help boost your mood and increase your ability to concentrate.<br /><br />Support<br /><br /><br /><br />Women with ADHD are frequently underdiagnosed. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that ADHD research is focused on boys and men. This could cause healthcare providers and educators to miss the symptoms in girls and women. Also, women are less able than men to screening tools and treatments. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources for women with ADHD, and they are better aware of the symptoms they suffer from.<br /><br />ADHD in women can cause issues with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to substance abuse and unhealthy coping strategies like eating too much. The symptoms can also change during various stages of life. For instance, fluctuations in hormones can affect the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be interpreted as depression and anxiety by other people, which could delay a proper diagnosis.<br /><br />A new online tool to screen for adults with ADHD was developed by the World Health Organization. This tool was created specifically for women and it uses real-life experiences to create questions which a healthcare professional is able to answer. It can help identify women's most prevalent ADHD symptoms and provide information that can be shared with a doctor.<br /><br />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. Scores are 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 remember that the screening tool is not able to replace a thorough assessment of your situation. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation.<br /><br />When women suffering from ADHD seek treatment, they usually discover that their life quality increases dramatically. The right treatment can improve relationships, set them up for success in school and at work and help them to become more aware of themselves. Support systems are also important. This can be accomplished by joining a support group or finding an ADHD coach who has previous experience working with female clients.<br /><br />