ADHD Assessment for Women
For a long time, ADHD was more commonly associated with boys and men than women and girls. ADHD tends to present differently in males, in a way that makes it more ānoticeableā- for example, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and being āboisterousā.
ADHD in women is more likely to present as shyness, or seeming withdrawn. Many women and girls with ADHD are misdiagnosed, often described as flaky, or diagnosed as depressed, anxious, or even bipolar.
We know now that ADHD is not just a male disorder. We also know that the impact of ADHD is greater on women than men: women have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
Fortunately, things are finally starting to change.
Fortunately, things are finally starting to change.
Symptoms of ADHD in Women
ADHD can cause different symptoms in females than in males. Adults and girls are more likely to be diagnosed with Inattentive type ADHD than boys, who are more likely to be diagnosed with Hyperactive/Impulsive Type.
Women with inattentive ADHD often manifest with symptoms such as:
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are less common in women with ADHD, they can manifest with behaviours such as:
Being repeatedly called out on careless mistakes
Inability to multitask or manage multiple relationships
Missing deadlines
Procrastinating and rushing to complete tasks at the last minute
"Spacing out" at meetings or in conversation
Difficulty keeping organised or tidy at school, home, or work
Frequently misplacing or losing things, such as your phone or glasses
Frequently missing appointments or forgetting to return calls
Trouble making decisions or building manageable strategies
While hyperactive and impulsive symptoms are less common in women with ADHD, they can manifest with behaviours such as:
Restlessness and fidgeting
Jumping from one topic or task to the next
Talking excessively
Interrupting frequently or talking over people
Difficulty sitting still or relaxing with others
Trouble maintaining friendships
The Menopause and ADHD
The menopause can be especially hard for women with ADHD, as hormones can often exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Not only do women have to navigate the symptoms of ADHD, but they also must work their way through the hormonal changes that perimenopause and menopause bring with them.
It also plays a vital role in the parts of the brain that relate to memory and word retrieval. Some women with ADHD find their cognitive function affected so drastically that they think they may be developing earlier dementia.
During menopause, ADHD medication that once helped with cognitive function may not work as effectively as it once did, meaning that ADHD symptoms such as inattention, organisation, memory, and emotional regulation can be more severe. This may also lead to low mood or increased anxiety during or after the transition of menopause.
Women with ADHD who are also experiencing the menopause can find that their work life, home life, relationships, and sleep patterns are severely affected. However, there are ways to cope and manage symptoms, and this is where Beyond can help. We understand the link between menopause and ADHD, and our specialist ADHD psychiatrists work to help women feel more in control and lead happier, healthier lives.
Why Menopause Exacerbates ADHD Symptoms
Menopause marks the hormonal changes that come along with the cessation of menstruation and is primarily triggered by the decrease in oestrogen levels. Oestrogen plays a crucial role in regulating mood, attention, and impulse control.It also plays a vital role in the parts of the brain that relate to memory and word retrieval. Some women with ADHD find their cognitive function affected so drastically that they think they may be developing earlier dementia.
During menopause, ADHD medication that once helped with cognitive function may not work as effectively as it once did, meaning that ADHD symptoms such as inattention, organisation, memory, and emotional regulation can be more severe. This may also lead to low mood or increased anxiety during or after the transition of menopause.
Women with ADHD who are also experiencing the menopause can find that their work life, home life, relationships, and sleep patterns are severely affected. However, there are ways to cope and manage symptoms, and this is where Beyond can help. We understand the link between menopause and ADHD, and our specialist ADHD psychiatrists work to help women feel more in control and lead happier, healthier lives.
Why Beyond?
Why we're different
You can access our services online or in person.
You can choose to be assessed remotely, or in person at our clinic at our premises in Warrington. Our virtual service means that anyone can access care at a time that suits them, from the comfort of their own homes. Plus, you will receive the same exceptional standard of care as you would if you visited us at one of our clinics, including access to the same expert clinical team.
Weāve walked in your shoes.
Beyond was founded by a team of people who have been diagnosed with ADHD. We know exactly the kind of service and support we wish we had received. So now, itās our turn to provide the service that we believe everyone deserves. With us, itās not just about the diagnosis; itās about giving you a clear path forward. We donāt just diagnose your ADHD, we understand it.
Our assessment process is second to none.
Through our own individual experiences, we found that the assessment process offered by the majority was lacking: it wasn't comprehensive or robust enough, and we didn't feel enough time was spent on each person. Thatās why we offer services that other ADHD clinics donāt, throughout our entire process.
Full support following diagnosis.
Our psychiatrists are keen to advise on adjustments for school, work, or university to help their patients to excel whatever their stage of life. As well as regular contact from a specialist mental health nursing team, we also take away the monthly stress of locating your medication by managing your prescription and delivering it to your door before you run out.
Our pricing
ADHD assessment prices
Adult ADHD assessment
Whatās included
- QbCheck
- DIVA 5 assessment
- Assessment with a consultant psychiatrist
- Post-diagnosis support
Ā£999
Finance options are available on request.
Bespoke medication
care pathway
We offer a supportive medication care plan to people where medication therapy is clinically recommended.
If this is the route for you, we will ensure you have a good understanding of medications for ADHD including possible effects and side effects.
We will initiate and titrate medication over the course of the next few months until we agree on the optimum dose of the medication which feels right for you. We will always prescribe medications based on best available evidence and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
We offer medication reviews monthly to ensure we can monitor your physical and mental health as well as reviewing your response to medication.
We use objective outcome measures to gain a greater understanding of symptom control over time. This helps guide our decisions about what medication and what dose suits you better. Our main focus however is to be guided by your experiences. We will listen to your experiences and deliver a medication care plan to suit your needs.
Once optimised and stabilised on medication we can either request that your GP take over prescribing with a shared care agreement, or you can continue to access prescriptions from Beyond. Whichever option you choose, you will receive annual clinical reviews to ensure your medication remains effective and your health is not negatively impacted.
We will initiate and titrate medication over the course of the next few months until we agree on the optimum dose of the medication which feels right for you. We will always prescribe medications based on best available evidence and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
We offer medication reviews monthly to ensure we can monitor your physical and mental health as well as reviewing your response to medication.
We use objective outcome measures to gain a greater understanding of symptom control over time. This helps guide our decisions about what medication and what dose suits you better. Our main focus however is to be guided by your experiences. We will listen to your experiences and deliver a medication care plan to suit your needs.
Once optimised and stabilised on medication we can either request that your GP take over prescribing with a shared care agreement, or you can continue to access prescriptions from Beyond. Whichever option you choose, you will receive annual clinical reviews to ensure your medication remains effective and your health is not negatively impacted.
Medication care pathway
Once you have completed our assessment process, if you receive a diagnosis of ADHD you can then choose to access our medication care plan, weāll provide ongoing reviews and tritation, with monthly clinical review appointments. You can also access extra appointments if needed for any concerns or links to our clinical team if needed.
At this time we can't prescribe medication to patients who have been diagnosed via another service or clinic.
Whatās included
- Monthly prescriptions and hassle free medication delivered to your door
- Alternative treatments
Ā£199/mover 6 months-or-Ā£1100one-off
Excludes the cost of medication
Accessing our services
There are two ways to access our services. Either call us for a confidential chat on the telephone number below, or fill in the enquiry form with your details and you'll receive a confidential call back from our team.
Call us
If you would like a confidential chat with one of our expert team, our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am ā 5.30pm.
- Telephone:0161 509 9555
Or alternatively if you'd like to email us with more information, please use the email address below.
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