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https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-in-women/

ADHD in Women Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role Women are often overlooked and are not treated for ADHD The gender bias and outdated criteria could play a part in Doctors interview patients and ask people who are familiar with them such as spouses siblings friends or family members to evaluate the symptoms Adult symptoms of ADHD can vary at different times like during menstrual cycles or during pregnancy as well as menopausal They can still affect relationships work and life generally Symptoms Women and people who are assigned female at birth AFAB often are not diagnosed Sometimes they are given a misdiagnosis This can be a frustrating experience and lead to feelings of helplessness Its crucial to remember that these issues are not your fault and dont have anything to do with how you act or what kind of person you are ADHD symptoms in women vary but the most common ones are forgetfulness disorganization and difficulty focusing You might also have difficulty keeping track of your tasks find yourself in trouble at school or at work you feel anxious or irritable all the time or have issues managing your finances or maintaining relationships Additionally many women experience emotional stress including mood fluctuations and a negative selfimage Many suffer from selfinjury that is not suicidal that includes things like burning or cutting themselves or having trouble sleeping Its important to note too that symptoms of ADHD can vary depending on the stage of the womans life or career This is due to hormonal changes Women with ADHD might experience more severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy and when theyre going through menopause Some societal beliefs regarding gender and behavior can affect the degree to which symptoms are recognized If youre a female suffering from ADHD for instance your impulsiveness or mood changes could be mistaken as signs of depression Your inattention and lack of coordination could be interpreted as female characteristics While these differences can be a source of frustration There are ways to receive the help and support you require Its best to begin with your primary doctor who can refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation Women with ADHD are also benefited by learning how to improve their organizational skills and develop more effective strategies for coping They may benefit from working with a career counselor or joining a support group It is important to remember that the treatment for ADHD for women may be similar to that of men and may include stimulants It is also essential to talk to your doctor about any medical issues you may have like depression anxiety or bipolar disorder Diagnosis Adults may struggle to get a diagnosis for ADHD The symptoms you experience may have been overlooked in your childhood or you could have learned to mask them to cope Additionally gender stereotypes can make it difficult for women to receive a diagnosis Women with ADHD might be misdiagnosed as highfunctioning or as having mood disorders You must meet certain criteria to be diagnosed with ADHD The first requirement is to have five ongoing symptoms of inattention or hyperactivityimpulsivity that interfere with work or school life It is also important to have had these symptoms prior to the time you turned 12 The second requirement is to have major problems caused by symptoms in two different settings like working or at home The symptoms must be present for at minimum six months to be considered a diagnosis You must also have a physical exam to determine if there is a medical cause for your symptoms such as seizures or thyroid issues Youll likely take psychological tests as well like an assessment of your behavior or a scale The evaluator may ask you questions about your history and how you handled your symptoms They may also request to speak to people who know you well like family and close friends The person who evaluates you will use their findings to write the report you need In some instances the evaluator will conclude that you dont suffer from ADHD They may say that your symptoms although slight or specific do not hinder your everyday functioning They may decide to rule out the condition when you have other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety that may cause similar symptoms Ask your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist if you are seeking a physician who can assess you for ADHD They may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who is an expert in ADHD Alternately you can contact your insurance provider 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 add test for women Although ADHD is more common for males and boys it also has a significant impact on women However its often more difficult for females to get treatment than males due to the way they hide their symptoms The symptoms range from forgetting appointments to being unable to work in noisy or busy environments Women with ADHD might feel pressured to live up to societys expectations They could be expected to take care of their children take on multiple tasks at work and maintain stable relationships This can be especially difficult for women with hyperactive impulsive or other symptoms For this reason it is particularly important for women with these signs to have regular psychiatric evaluations and medication treatment Adults with ADHD are usually treated using stimulant medications These include methylphenidate Ritalin dextroamphetamineamphetamine salts Adderall and lisdexamfetamine Vyvanse Nonstimulant drugs that are suitable for use in place of stimulants include the drugs atomoxetine Strattera as well as Guanfacine Intuniv and viloxazine Kapvay A medical professional must monitor the medication to ensure that it is administered at the right dose There are many ways to improve the lifestyle of people suffering from ADHD manage symptoms They can include sleep hygiene exercise and healthy eating Stress management techniques workplace and homelife adjustments and stress management techniques can be helpful Women may find relief from their symptoms by engaging in psychotherapy Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good option for anxiety and depression These conditions are often cooccurring with ADHD Based on the uniqueness of your situation You may be able to benefit from a combination of treatments Your doctor will take into account your age lifestyle and symptom intensity when developing an appropriate plan They will also consider any other health issues you might have as well as any drug interactions or adverse effects to watch out for They will also consider the effects of hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy perimenopause and menopause This will help them prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you Medications may help improve your ability and mood to focus Support Women who suffer from ADHD are often not diagnosed ADHD research is usually focused on men and boys This can result in healthcare providers and educators missing the symptoms of women and girls This also means women have less access than men to screening tools and treatments Thankfully this is changing There are more resources for women with ADHD and they are more aware of the symptoms they suffer from ADHD in women can result in difficulty with relationships work and school performance and selfesteem It can also lead to addiction to substances and unhealthy coping behaviors such as binge eating The symptoms may change throughout the course of life For instance changes in hormone levels can alter the severity of the symptoms The mood swings could be misinterpreted as depression and anxiety by others which can delay a proper diagnosis The World Health Organization has developed a new online screening tool to diagnose adult ADHD This screening tool is designed specifically for women and draws on the experiences of real people to formulate questions that can be answered by a medical professional It can help identify womens most frequent ADHD symptoms and provide information 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 hyperactivityimpulsivity and two other symptom areas Based on your answers a score will be calculated that reflects the severity of the symptoms 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 full evaluation of your situation It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation Women suffering from ADHD who seek treatment frequently find that their lives improves dramatically The right treatment can enhance relationships help them achieve success at work and in school and help them to understand themselves better Support systems are also essential You can do this by joining a support network or finding a coach with experience working with women