Women’s ADHD Assessments
Women’s ADHD Assessments
ADHD in women (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), presents various symptoms that can make daily life challenging. All too often, women feel extra pressure from society: looking after the home and children, maintaining a happy relationship, holding down a job. ADHD in females can make integrating these demands extra-stressful and difficult.
Studies show that adult ADHD symptoms are more likely to go undiagnosed in women than in men. This highlights the importance of independent women’s ADHD assessments; to seek a diagnosis, help manage symptoms and obtain the treatment you need.
Understanding ADHD in Women
In childhood ADHD, while boys tend to exhibit the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, girls are more commonly known to have the inattentive type of ADHD. This makes focus, organisation and listening more difficult. It also means boys are, typically, more hyperactive in class, and so ADHD symptoms are more pronounced and likely to lead to a diagnosis.
UK-based surveys with children aged 5-15 showed that 0.85% – almost one in every 100 – girls have ADHD. Strikingly though, girls are diagnosed with ADHD at just under half the rate at which boys are diagnosed. Results such as these lead some to speculate about somewhat biassed medical practices, or wonder how many misdiagnosed females are struggling with their ADHD symptoms.
Combined Type
Five or more symptoms of both criteria – inattention, and hyperactivity and impulsiveness – were present for the past six months.
– Difficulty following instructions
– Seeming not to listen, even when spoken to
– Easily distracted
– Unable to stick to tasks
– Often losing things
Inattentive Type
Five symptoms of inattention, but not hyperactivity and impulsiveness, were present for the past six months. (Previously called ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder.)
– Short attention span
– ‘Careless’ mistakes
– Forgetfulness
– Difficulty following instructions
– Inability to carry out time-consuming tasks
Hyperactive / Impulsive Type
Five symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, but not inattention, were present for the past six months.
– Unable to sit still
– Frequent fidgeting
– Difficulty concentrating
– Constantly moving, talking, interrupting
– Inability to wait
– Appearing to act without thinking
The ADHD Centre Client Testimonials
Aidan O’Brien
Self-employed
Clare Chaffin
Law Student
James Bloodworth
Journalist and Writer
Sophie Hailwood
Operations Director
Symptoms & Disorders that Occur Alongside ADHD in Women
ADHD in women can make you more inclined to feeling dysphoria, depression and anxiety. Women with ADHD are more likely to have low self-esteem, and have over time developed coping strategies that focus on compensating unfinished/forgotten tasks rather than actually addressing and treating the underlying problem.
Women and girls tend to internalise ADHD symptoms; however, women diagnosed with ADHD have a higher risk of experiencing symptoms of the following types:
- You find it difficult to function in busy/noisy surroundings, leading to unproductivity
- You seem to always be losing things, or forgetting important appointments/events
- You feel easily overwhelmed, either with others or in everyday activities
- You feel constantly ‘zoned-out’, in conversations or in the middle of doing something
- You quickly become overly emotional, and ‘small things’ push you over the top
- You often find that your home, room, desk or office are untidy and disorganised
- You are prone to impulse purchases and shopping for unnecessary things
- You are often late for meetings and have a hard time hitting deadlines
- You struggle to relax and unwind as your mind is on the go 24/7
There are a range of other mental health disorders that can also occur along with ADHD in women which also often go undiagnosed. These complications may cause trouble in correctly diagnosing the existence of ADHD, so getting an expert women’s ADHD assessment is essential to help establish the existence and interaction of these common comorbidities.
Eating disorders
You may struggle with food regulation, or experience symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
You may have recurring/repetitive thoughts and behaviours that you find it difficult to control.
Depression and anxiety
You might find you often feel sad, discouraged, uninterested, unmotivated, hopeless, ‘washed-out’ or nervous.
Social Anxiety Disorder
You experience an overwhelming fear of everyday social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people or even making eye contact.
Sleeping disorders
You find yourself constantly battling issues with the quality, timing and amount of sleep you get, resulting in impaired daytime functioning.
Substance abuse, drugs or alcohol
You struggle to control your consumption of particular mood altering substances, leading to significant problems in your life.
The Impact of Untreated and Undiagnosed ADHD
Just as we are all different as individuals, females with either childhood ADHD or adulthood ADHD will have different milestones and challenges to overcome in their lives.
Untreated and undiagnosed ADHD may have a critical impact on a woman’s mental, physical and social life. It is of the utmost importance that women with ADHD be accurately diagnosed, by seeking one of our women’s ADHD assessments. This will enable you to receive ADHD treatments to suit your lifestyle, and address symptoms in a holistic way that allows you to truly flourish.
While untreated and/or undiagnosed ADHD in women may have a number of damaging effects, receiving a women’s ADHD assessment can help you:
- Find treatments that are kind to your brain, body and hormones
- Get access to effective stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications, which can be safely prescribed and monitored by an expert consultant psychiatrist
- Work with specialist ADHD therapists and coaches to learn new effective and lasting strategies for common ADHD symptoms as well as comorbid depression, anxiety and low self-esteem
- Develop healthier habits around eating, exercise and overall well being, which all have an effect on ADHD symptoms
- Learn and integrate effective and specific mindfulness practices designed and developed to target specific ADHD symptoms
- Improve your concentration – at home or work
- Remember appointments, events and information
- Say goodbye to feeling overwhelmed or ‘zoned-out’
- Increase your ability to complete important tasks
- Reduce the effects impulsivity and distractibility
Book a Women’s ADHD Assessment Today
At The ADHD Centre, our specialists are available to help you and your loved ones understand and manage ADHD symptoms. Whether you’re a woman dealing with adulthood ADHD, or you suspect childhood ADHD in a family member, an individualised women’s ADHD assessment gives you access to proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. We tailor our treatments to your specific needs and medical history, so there’s no need to worry about unwelcome side effects – allergies or imbalanced hormones, for instance. ADHD in females presents a range of symptoms that can make life a challenge – but professional and personal help is close at hand.
We offer online or face-to-face appointments for your convenience
Speak to a women’s ADHD specialist with years of experience in the field
Get a structured clinical assessment specifically for women’s ADHD, based on the latest DSM-V criteria
Comprehensive consultation: you’ll have 75-90 minutes for your initial assessment
Receive a full report outlining your diagnosis and ongoing treatment plan details
Setting up a Shared Care Agreement with your GP
If you choose to go on medication, once you are on a stable regime, if you wish, we’re able to set up a Shared Care Agreement with your GP. This means they can take over the prescribing of any medication that may be outlined in your personalised treatment plan.
We have standard protocol documents to facilitate this procedure – essentially, it means your prescription would become an NHS prescription, and therefore charged at their standard rate.
Please note: we cannot guarantee a Shared Care arrangement with your GP. If you are interested in this option, we would encourage you to discuss your plans for a Shared Care Agreement with your GP before you commence any treatment with The ADHD Centre, so that they are informed and involved early on.
How to treat ADHD effectively – Dr Shymal Mashru, Consultant Psychiatrist
ADHD in Women: Blogs & Resources
ADHD in Women FAQs:
- How to diagnose ADHD in women?
- How to manage ADHD in women?
- What does ADHD look like in adult women?
ADHD in females is a complex and multifaceted condition, and as such, there’s no simple ‘yes/no test’ to diagnose ADHD in women. Diagnosis takes the form of a one-to-one structured clinical assessment with an experienced mental health practitioner. Diagnosis is made based on the internationally recognised DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) criteria to determine the presence of ADHD and give an accurate ADHD diagnosis.
Your doctor will also consider the nature, number and frequency of ADHD symptoms you experience to inform a diagnosis, and to investigate the possibility of any coexisting disorders. Only medically-qualified doctors (accredited psychiatrists) can diagnose ADHD in women and also prescribe medication.
Here at The ADHD Centre, your diagnosis will be carried out by one of our Specialist Consultant Psychiatrists. You’ll complete a questionnaire beforehand, and will also be asked some questions about your medical and developmental history, social, academic and work experiences, history of substance abuse, and other aspects of your life that may help determine the presence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
There is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ presentation of ADHD in women, and so managing the symptoms can vary. With that said, there are a few at-home strategies to help females manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, such as:
- Booking one of our women’s ADHD assessments and getting diagnosed with the condition, along with any coexisting conditions
- Developing healthy habits – such as a sleeping routine and regular exercise – and staying safe during activities like driving or crossing the road
- Releasing yourself from the requirement to be perfect: work on reducing the role perfectionism plays in your day-to-day life
- Spending time on establishing time-management and organisational aids
With support from professionals at The ADHD Centre, you can manage your symptoms even better by:
- Being safely prescribed effective medication
- Receiving bespoke coaching for symptom management
- Trailing mindfulness practices
- Receiving support and advice when it comes to diet, exercise and general well being
ADHD in women doesn’t always look the same: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a nuanced condition, and as such, can present a range of symptoms, depending on the type of ADHD you are dealing with and how it interacts with your specific developmental history.
For instance, if you are dealing with hyperactive and impulsive type ADHD, you might find yourself frequently interrupting friends and family at social events; then again, if you have inattentive type ADHD, it could be that you make puzzling mistakes in your work due to being ‘zoned-out.’
However ADHD is manifested in your thoughts and behaviour, it’s critically important that you obtain a professional assessment. Having a women’s ADHD assessment can help to determine the exact nature of your condition and the best treatment options available to you.
Treating ADHD in Women at The ADHD Centre
It is never too late to get an ADHD diagnosis, whether in childhood or adulthood. A diagnosis then enables you to get access to highly effective and frequently life changing treatments.
At the ADHD Centre, our evidence-based treatments have been shown to be among the most effective and expert treatments available.
Your individual treatment plan will empower you to manage your ADHD symptoms and improve your levels of functioning in ways that you may not have thought possible.
Our treatments include:
- ADHD Medications
- ADHD Specific Behavioural Therapy and Specialist Coaching
- Essential Mindfulness Practices for Specific Symptoms
- Parent Training and Support
At The ADHD Centre, we offer the latest evidence-based treatments, and can ensure you have the guidance you need every step of the way.
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We have been diagnosing and treating people with ADHD since 2009.
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