Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women
Abstract Background There is evidence to suggest that the broad discrepancy in the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is due, at least in part, to lack of recognition and/or referral bias in females. Studies suggest that females with ADHD present with differences in their profile of sympt...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9 |
| _version_ | 1819206152761638912 |
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| author | Susan Young Nicoletta Adamo Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir Polly Branney Michelle Beckett William Colley Sally Cubbin Quinton Deeley Emad Farrag Gisli Gudjonsson Peter Hill Jack Hollingdale Ozge Kilic Tony Lloyd Peter Mason Eleni Paliokosta Sri Perecherla Jane Sedgwick Caroline Skirrow Kevin Tierney Kobus van Rensburg Emma Woodhouse |
| author_facet | Susan Young Nicoletta Adamo Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir Polly Branney Michelle Beckett William Colley Sally Cubbin Quinton Deeley Emad Farrag Gisli Gudjonsson Peter Hill Jack Hollingdale Ozge Kilic Tony Lloyd Peter Mason Eleni Paliokosta Sri Perecherla Jane Sedgwick Caroline Skirrow Kevin Tierney Kobus van Rensburg Emma Woodhouse |
| author_sort | Susan Young |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is evidence to suggest that the broad discrepancy in the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is due, at least in part, to lack of recognition and/or referral bias in females. Studies suggest that females with ADHD present with differences in their profile of symptoms, comorbidity and associated functioning compared with males. This consensus aims to provide a better understanding of females with ADHD in order to improve recognition and referral. Comprehensive assessment and appropriate treatment is hoped to enhance longer-term clinical outcomes and patient wellbeing for females with ADHD. Methods The United Kingdom ADHD Partnership hosted a meeting of experts to discuss symptom presentation, triggers for referral, assessment, treatment and multi-agency liaison for females with ADHD across the lifespan. Results A consensus was reached offering practical guidance to support medical and mental health practitioners working with females with ADHD. The potential challenges of working with this patient group were identified, as well as specific barriers that may hinder recognition. These included symptomatic differences, gender biases, comorbidities and the compensatory strategies that may mask or overshadow underlying symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, we determined the broader needs of these patients and considered how multi-agency liaison may provide the support to meet them. Conclusions This practical approach based upon expert consensus will inform effective identification, treatment and support of girls and women with ADHD. It is important to move away from the prevalent perspective that ADHD is a behavioural disorder and attend to the more subtle and/or internalised presentation that is common in females. It is essential to adopt a lifespan model of care to support the complex transitions experienced by females that occur in parallel to change in clinical presentation and social circumstances. Treatment with pharmacological and psychological interventions is expected to have a positive impact leading to increased productivity, decreased resource utilization and most importantly, improved long-term outcomes for girls and women. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:03:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1089428581ab4dcfab3ae2d5d60513e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T05:03:04Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-1089428581ab4dcfab3ae2d5d60513e12022-12-21T17:59:10ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2020-08-0120112710.1186/s12888-020-02707-9Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and womenSusan Young0Nicoletta Adamo1Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir2Polly Branney3Michelle Beckett4William Colley5Sally Cubbin6Quinton Deeley7Emad Farrag8Gisli Gudjonsson9Peter Hill10Jack Hollingdale11Ozge Kilic12Tony Lloyd13Peter Mason14Eleni Paliokosta15Sri Perecherla16Jane Sedgwick17Caroline Skirrow18Kevin Tierney19Kobus van Rensburg20Emma Woodhouse21Psychology Services LimitedSocial, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College LondonDepartment of Psychology, Reykjavik UniversityOxford ADHD and Autism CentreADHD Action, HarrogateCLC ConsultancyManor HospitalNational Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustSouth London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley HealthDepartment of Psychology, Reykjavik UniversityIndependent Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Private PracticeMichael Rutter Centre, South London and Maudsley HospitalKoc UniversityADHD FoundationADHD and Psychiatry Services LimitedTavistock and Portman NHS Foundation TrustSt Thomas’ Hospital LondonSocial, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College LondonCambridge CognitionNeuropsychiatry Team, National Specialist CAMHS, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustAdult ADHD and AS Team & CYP ADHD and ASD Service in NorthamptonshireForensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceAbstract Background There is evidence to suggest that the broad discrepancy in the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is due, at least in part, to lack of recognition and/or referral bias in females. Studies suggest that females with ADHD present with differences in their profile of symptoms, comorbidity and associated functioning compared with males. This consensus aims to provide a better understanding of females with ADHD in order to improve recognition and referral. Comprehensive assessment and appropriate treatment is hoped to enhance longer-term clinical outcomes and patient wellbeing for females with ADHD. Methods The United Kingdom ADHD Partnership hosted a meeting of experts to discuss symptom presentation, triggers for referral, assessment, treatment and multi-agency liaison for females with ADHD across the lifespan. Results A consensus was reached offering practical guidance to support medical and mental health practitioners working with females with ADHD. The potential challenges of working with this patient group were identified, as well as specific barriers that may hinder recognition. These included symptomatic differences, gender biases, comorbidities and the compensatory strategies that may mask or overshadow underlying symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, we determined the broader needs of these patients and considered how multi-agency liaison may provide the support to meet them. Conclusions This practical approach based upon expert consensus will inform effective identification, treatment and support of girls and women with ADHD. It is important to move away from the prevalent perspective that ADHD is a behavioural disorder and attend to the more subtle and/or internalised presentation that is common in females. It is essential to adopt a lifespan model of care to support the complex transitions experienced by females that occur in parallel to change in clinical presentation and social circumstances. Treatment with pharmacological and psychological interventions is expected to have a positive impact leading to increased productivity, decreased resource utilization and most importantly, improved long-term outcomes for girls and women.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)FemaleGirlsWomenIdentificationTreatment |
| spellingShingle | Susan Young Nicoletta Adamo Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir Polly Branney Michelle Beckett William Colley Sally Cubbin Quinton Deeley Emad Farrag Gisli Gudjonsson Peter Hill Jack Hollingdale Ozge Kilic Tony Lloyd Peter Mason Eleni Paliokosta Sri Perecherla Jane Sedgwick Caroline Skirrow Kevin Tierney Kobus van Rensburg Emma Woodhouse Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women BMC Psychiatry Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Female Girls Women Identification Treatment |
| title | Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| title_full | Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| title_fullStr | Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| title_short | Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| title_sort | females with adhd an expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls and women |
| topic | Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Female Girls Women Identification Treatment |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9 |
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