Psychology Services Limited, PO 1735, Croydon, London, CR9 7AE, UK.
Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland.
BMC Psychiatry. 2020 Aug 12;20(1):404. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9.
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.
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.
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.
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.
有证据表明，被诊断患有 ADHD 的男性与女性比例存在巨大差异，至少部分原因是女性的识别和/或转诊偏见。研究表明，与男性相比，患有 ADHD 的女性在症状、共病和相关功能方面表现出不同的特征。本共识旨在更好地了解患有 ADHD 的女性，以提高识别和转诊率。全面评估和适当治疗有望改善患有 ADHD 的女性的长期临床结局和患者幸福感。
英国 ADHD 合作组织召集了一次专家会议，讨论了女性 ADHD 患者在整个生命周期中的症状表现、转诊触发因素、评估、治疗和多机构联络。
达成了共识，为与女性 ADHD 患者合作的医疗和心理健康从业者提供了实用的指导。确定了与该患者群体合作的潜在挑战，以及可能阻碍识别的具体障碍。这些障碍包括症状差异、性别偏见、共病和可能掩盖或掩盖 ADHD 潜在症状的补偿策略。此外，我们确定了这些患者的更广泛需求，并考虑了多机构联络如何提供支持来满足这些需求。
基于专家共识的这种实用方法将为女孩和妇女 ADHD 的有效识别、治疗和支持提供信息。重要的是要摒弃 ADHD 是一种行为障碍的普遍观点，关注在女性中常见的更微妙和/或内化的表现。必须采用终生护理模式来支持女性与临床表现和社会环境变化同时发生的复杂过渡。药物和心理干预治疗预计将产生积极影响，从而提高生产力，减少资源利用，最重要的是，改善女孩和妇女的长期结局。
