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ADHD in Women – Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role Women are often mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD and treated inadequately. A lack of understanding and gender biases could be at work. Doctors conduct an interview with patients and sometimes ask those who are familiar with the patient — such as spouses, siblings, or even friends to evaluate symptoms. Adult symptoms of ADHD can be different in different periods, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. However, they can also affect relationships, work and life in general. Signs and symptoms Women and those with female at birth (AFAB) often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with ADHD. This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of helplessness. It's crucial to remember that these issues are not your fault and don't have anything to do with how you act or what kind of person you are. ADHD symptoms in women can be varied in severity, but the most frequent symptoms are disorganization, forgetfulness and difficulty staying focussed. You may also experience trouble when it comes to paying attention or completing tasks, getting into trouble at work or at school and having trouble maintaining relationships and managing your finances, and becoming restless and anxious constantly. Many women also experience emotional distress, such as mood shifts or a negative opinion of themselves. There are those who suffer from non-suicidal self-injury such as cutting or burning, or have trouble sleeping. It's important to know that the symptoms of ADHD can differ based on the stage of women's work or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, women who suffer from ADHD typically experience more severe symptoms during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy or go through menopause. Additionally, certain social beliefs regarding gender and behavior could influence whether someone's symptoms are noticed. For instance when you're a woman with ADHD, your impulsive behavior or mood changes may be mistaken for symptoms of depression, and your lapses of memory and apathy could be seen as a sign of “female traits.” These issues can be frustrating however there are steps you can take to receive the assistance and support you need. It's best to start with your primary physician, who can refer to an expert in mental health for an evaluation. Additionally, women with ADHD benefit from learning strategies to improve their organizational skills and develop better coping methods. You can also talk to a career counselor or join a support group. It's important to know that the treatment of ADHD for women may be similar to the treatment for men and could include stimulants. It's also important to speak with your doctor about any other conditions you might have, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. Diagnosis Adults may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. You might have not noticed your symptoms in childhood or learned to mask them. Women also may be more difficult to get diagnosed due to gender stereotypes. Women who suffer from ADHD could be misdiagnosed as “high-functioning” or as having a “mood disorder.” You must meet certain criteria 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 important to have experienced these symptoms since before you turned 12 years old. The symptoms must cause major 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 qualify as a diagnoses. You'll also have to have a physical examination to rule out any medical reasons for your symptoms. This includes thyroid problems or seizures. You may also be asked to complete psychological tests such as the scale for assessing your behavior or checklist. The examiner may ask you questions about your history and how you dealt with your symptoms. adhd in women test may also talk to people who know you well, such as family and close friends. The evaluator will then use their findings to prepare a report for you. In some instances an evaluator could decide that you do not have ADHD. They may say that your symptoms, while minor or specific, don't hinder your everyday functioning. They may exclude the condition, in the event that you have other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, that could cause similar symptoms. Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist if you are looking for a doctor who can test you for ADHD. They can recommend an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in ADHD. Alternatively, you can call 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 an ADHD support group and ask for recommendations. Treatment Although ADHD is more common for males and boys but it also has a significant impact on women. However, it's often more difficult for females to get treatment than males due to the way they mask their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable work in noisy environments. Women suffering from ADHD may feel pressured to meet societal expectations. They may be expected to care for their children, juggle many tasks at work and maintain a stable relationship. This can be particularly difficult for those who have hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is crucial that women with these symptoms get regular psychiatric examinations and medication treatment. Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs that can be used in place of stimulants include the atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). The dosage of medications must be monitored by a physician to ensure that the correct dosage is being administered. In addition to medications in addition, there are a number of lifestyle strategies that can assist people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise and sleep hygiene, healthy eating and other strategies for living can help. Techniques for managing stress and workplace and homelife accommodations can also be beneficial. Psychotherapy can help women suffering from symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option and can help with anxiety and depression, which are sometimes co-occurring conditions with ADHD. Based on the specificity of your situation You may be able to benefit from a combination treatment. Your doctor will consider your lifestyle, age, and severity of symptoms when creating the plan. They will also consider any other health issues that you may have and whether there are any drug interactions or side effects to be aware of. They will also factor in the effects of hormonal fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal. This will enable doctors to prescribe the appropriate dosage and type of medication to you. The use of medication can improve your mood and ability to focus. Support Women who suffer from ADHD are often underdiagnosed. ADHD research is usually focused on men and boys. This can lead to healthcare professionals and educators not understanding the symptoms of girls and women. Also, women are not as accessible as 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 lead to problems with relationships, work and school performance, as well as self-esteem. It can also cause women to abuse substances or other unhealthy strategies for coping, such as binge-eating. The symptoms can also alter at different times in life. Hormonal fluctuations, for instance, can influence the severity of symptoms. Mood swings can be misinterpreted as depression and anxiety by others, which could delay a proper diagnosis. The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to help diagnose adult ADHD. This tool was created specifically for women and it uses real-life experiences to generate questions that a healthcare professional can answer. It will help identify women's most common ADHD symptoms and provide details that can be provided with 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. Based on your answers, a score is calculated to determine the severity of symptoms. The test can be completed online and is completely free. 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. When women with ADHD seek treatment, they typically experience a change in their lives that improves dramatically. The right treatments can improve relationships, prepare them to be successful at school and at work and help them understand themselves better. It is also vital to have support systems in place. This can be accomplished by joining a support group or locating an ADHD coach with previous experience working with female clients.