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 ā€œnoticeableā€- for example, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and being ā€œboisterousā€.

ADHD in women is more likely to present as shyness, or seeming withdrawn.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.

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:

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.

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.

Weā€™ve walked in your shoes.

Beyond Clinics 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, itā€™s our turn to provide the service that we believe everyone deserves. With us, itā€™s not just about the diagnosis; itā€™s about giving you a clear path forward. We donā€™t 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. Thatā€™s why we offer services that other ADHD clinics donā€™t, 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.

Key people

Our lead clinicians

Our team is dedicated to helping women with ADHD. All of our team are experienced in working with women and girls of all ages who suspect they may have ADHD.

Dr Morgan Toerien
Associate Specialist, Addictions Psychiatry and Adult ADHD

Dr Morgan Toerien

Dr Morgan Toerien

Associate Specialist, Addictions Psychiatry and Adult ADHD

GMC number: 4765679

Dr Toerien has over 20 years of experience working in mental health and more specifically in addictions, where a very high proportion of patients have ADHD. Dr Toerien is passionate about supporting his patients along their treatment journey to establish an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan that is evidence-based, individualised and patient-centred.

Dr Toerien believes that helping his patients to really understand their condition and the potential benefits that can be obtained from a wholistic treatment package, can be life changing and supports them to reach their full potential in life. Dr Toerien takes an active role in teaching and creating an awareness around ADHD, addictions, personal growth and wellness. Because of this, he is regularly asked to present at conferences and to colleagues at educational events.

UKAAN specialist training ā€“ Diagnosis and assessment of adults with ADHD
UKAAN specialist training ā€“ Pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD

Dr Morgan Toerien
Jessica Jones
Clinical Director and Registered Mental Health Nurse

Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones

Clinical Director and Registered Mental Health Nurse

Beyond Clinical Director, Jessica Jones, has a long history of leading CQC regulated adult, child, and adolescent mental health services. Jess brings a wealth of experience in developing and providing clinical assessments and therapeutic interventions for people with mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties as well as a profound commitment to transforming the lives of individuals and families.

Keeping Beyond at the forefront of ADHD assessment, research treatment and psychosocial interventions, Jess ensures that our clinic offers the latest, evidence-based assessments and treatment options. Her approach to patient centred care ensures you receive a safe and effective service which is responsive to your individual needs.

Jess inspires a culture of empathy and understanding among our team, creating an environment where patients and families feel supported and empowered.

Whether you're an adult navigating the complexities of ADHD or a parent seeking guidance for your child, Jess and our dedicated team are here to guide you toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Jessica Jones

Bespoke medication
care plan

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 clinical 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 Clinics. 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 plan

Once you have completed our assessment process, if you receive a diagnosis of ADHD you can then choose to access our medication care plan, weā€™ll provide ongoing reviews and support, with monthly clinical review appointments. You can also access extra patient coordinator contacts for any concerns or links to our clinical team if needed.

Whatā€™s 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

ICO
Care Quality Commission
General Medical Council
QBCheck

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.

Or alternatively if you'd like to email us with more information, please use the email address below.

or

We can call you