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ADHD in Women – Why Gender Bias and Outdated Criteria May Play a Role Women are often wrongly diagnosed with ADHD and are not treated appropriately. Gender biases and outdated criteria could be at play. Doctors interview patients and ask people who know them well, such as spouses siblings, friends, or family members to evaluate symptoms. Adult ADHD symptoms can alter at various time points. For instance during pregnancy, menstrual cycle or menopausal changes. However, they can also interfere with relationships, work and life generally. Symptoms Women and those who are born female, (AFAB), often go undiagnosed. Sometimes, they are given an incorrect diagnosis. This can be very frustrating and cause feelings of powerlessness. It is important to remember that these difficulties are not a result of you and have nothing to have anything to do with your actions or character. ADHD symptoms in women differ in severity, but the most frequent ones are forgetfulness, disorganization and difficulty staying focused. You might also have difficulty paying attention or completing your tasks, find yourself in trouble at work or school you feel anxious or irritable constantly or have issues managing your finances or keeping relationships. In addition, many women suffer from emotional distress, like mood shifts and a negative self image. Some even experience non-suicidal self-injury, which includes activities like cutting or burning or experiencing sleep problems. It is important to remember that the signs of ADHD can differ based on the stage of women's work or life. This is due to hormonal fluctuation. Women with ADHD may experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy, as well as during menopausal. In addition, societal attitudes regarding gender and behavior could affect whether a person's symptoms are observed. For instance, if you're a woman with ADHD or impulsive behavior, your actions or mood swings can be interpreted as symptoms of depression, while your forgetfulness and lack of organization could be interpreted as part of a woman's “female characteristics.” While these differences are frustrating There are steps you can take to get the help and support you require. It's a good idea always to begin with your primary physician, who can refer to a mental healthcare professional for an evaluation. Some women with ADHD can benefit from learning to improve their organization skills and develop better strategies for dealing with stress. You can also consult with a career counsellor or join 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's also important to talk to your doctor about any other conditions you might have, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Diagnosis Adults may struggle to get an diagnosis for ADHD. Your symptoms could have been overlooked in your childhood, or you could have learned to mask them as a means of coping. In addition gender stereotypes can make it harder for women to receive a diagnosis. Women who suffer from ADHD could be incorrectly identified as “high-functioning” or as having a “mood disorder.” 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 the history of these symptoms that began before you were 12. The symptoms must cause major issues in two different settings such as at work or at home. In addition, the symptoms must be present for more than six months in order to be considered a diagnosis. You must also have physical examinations to determine the cause of your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems. You'll likely have to take psychological tests, too for example, a checklist or behavior rating scale. The examiner may ask you questions about your history and how you dealt with your symptoms. They might also ask to speak to people who know you well, such as close family members and friends. adhd in women signs of the evaluator will be used to write a report that you can look over. In some cases the evaluator might conclude that you don't suffer from ADHD. They might say that your symptoms aren't severe or extremely specific, and do not hinder your daily activities. They could also rule out the condition if there are other mental health conditions which could trigger similar symptoms, for example, depression or anxiety. If you're looking to find an expert to test your symptoms for ADHD, ask your primary health care provider for an appointment. They may refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist who is a specialist in ADHD. You can also reach out to your insurance provider, or local universities to find an expert who treats ADHD adults. You can also join an ADHD support group and ask members for recommendations. Treatment ADHD is a problem that affects a lot of women, even though it is more prevalent among boys and men. However, it's more difficult for females to get treatment than males because of the way they hide their symptoms. The symptoms range from forgetting to make appointments to being unable to work in noisy environments. Women with ADHD may feel pressured to live up to society's expectations. They could be expected to look after their children, take on multiple tasks at work and maintain a stable relationship. This is particularly difficult for those who have hyperactive, impulsive or combination symptoms. It is crucial for women suffering from these issues to get regular psychiatric examinations, and medication treatment. Stimulant medication is usually the first choice to treat ADHD in adults. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulant drugs that are suitable for use in place of stimulants include atomoxetine (Strattera) as well as Guanfacine (Intuniv) and viloxazine (Kapvay). Medications must be carefully monitored by a physician to ensure that the right dose is being administered. In addition to medication, there are a variety of lifestyle choices that can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms. Exercise, healthy eating, sleep hygiene and other strategies for living can help. Stress management techniques as well as home and workplace accommodations are also helpful. Some women experience relief from their ailments by seeking psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-known option and can help with anxiety and depression, which can be co-occurring disorders that are associated with ADHD. Based on your particular situation A combination of treatments could be best for you. When determining an appropriate treatment plan your doctor will consider factors such as age, lifestyle and severity of symptoms. They will also consider any other health issues you may have, and should there be any drug-related side effects or interactions to be aware of. They will also consider the effects of hormone fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal, and menopause. This will allow them to prescribe the right dosage and type of medication for you. Medications can help to improve your mood and your ability to concentrate. Support Women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed. This is due to a range of factors, including the fact that ADHD research focuses on boys and men. This can lead to health professionals and educators not being aware of the symptoms of girls and women. This also means that women have less access to screening tools and treatment options. Thankfully, this is changing. There are more resources for women suffering from ADHD, and they are aware of the symptoms they suffer from. ADHD in women can lead to difficulties with relationships, school and work performance, and self-esteem. It can also lead to substance abuse or unhealthy strategies for coping for coping, like binge-eating. Symptoms can also vary during different stages of life. For example, hormone fluctuations can impact the severity of the symptoms. The mood swings can be misinterpreted by others as being caused by anxiety or depression which could delay the diagnosis. The World Health Organization has developed an online tool for screening to identify adult ADHD. This screening tool is specifically designed for women and draws on the experiences of real people to generate questions that can be answered by a health professional. It will help you determine the most common ADHD symptoms in women and provides information that can be shared 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 that indicates the severity of the symptoms. The screening tool is free to use and can be completed online. It is important to keep in mind that the screening tool cannot substitute for a thorough evaluation of your situation. It should only be used in conjunction with an ADHD consultation. When women with ADHD seek treatment, they usually discover that their life quality improves significantly. The right treatment can improve relationships, aid them in achieving success at work and in school, and also allow them to gain a better understanding of themselves. It is also essential to have support systems in place. This can be accomplished by joining a support group or finding an ADHD coach who has experience working with female clients.