ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sex are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal makeup as well as hormones. Many people don't fall into the binary sex. Genre and gender can influence the way ADHD symptoms are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and can affect both women and men. Women may have more difficulty to attain the focus they require particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than for men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They're also more likely to become emotional and have difficulty putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to focus which can lead to an inability to perform at home or work. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in learning and memory, as well as hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain's functioning.
Women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from various comorbidities, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
This is why it is crucial for health care professionals to be aware of the various indicators that females suffering from ADHD often show. They should rethink their strategies to diagnose and treat females with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means that they have a harder time making decisions and sticking with their goals. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help them control their impulsivity. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like clonidine and guanfacine can be effective as well. Behavioral therapy may also be suggested, which can help those suffering from ADHD change their thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stress.
A good night's sleep and eating a balanced diet, and practicing meditation can help control restlessness and impulsiveness in those with ADHD. It is important to keep track of their symptoms throughout the day and share this data with their doctor so they can assess whether the treatment regimen is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a problem for those suffering from ADHD and impact their personal and professional lives. It can take them longer to complete their tasks and decrease their productivity. They may also miss deadlines and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose possessions such as keys or purses. In the end, they might feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by family and friends. Disorganization is more common during menopausal or perimenopausal cycles when hormones are changing and symptoms are increasing.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being considered a failure. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel shame or guilt. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly true in adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD might have poor academic or work performance. This could negatively impact their career, grades, or their image. It could also cause issues in their personal lives like issues with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends members.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach them strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and setting reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes that will aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that affects decision making across a wide range of aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale of Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, in which people interpret ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with the fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the study that was qualitative of adult women with adhd the participants said they were unable to make decisions in their personal and professional lives. Home had a difficult time finding a job they liked or to stay in, and were difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to take decisions, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They often felt like they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsive.
adhd in adult women struggled to maintain friendships and had difficulty relaxing and recharging their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also reported feeling stigmatized by media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. They also had access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack career or romantic opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. Women may take on the characteristics of ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting or burning). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. When people lack a strong sense of self-worth they tend to look for outside things - including careers, relationships wealth, power, and relationships - to feel worthy. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, says that this can also lead to a lack in communication within relationships.
In addition to a sense of self-worth, women who have ADHD often have a feeling that they don't deserve the positive things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can lead to a toxic work culture, a negative body image, and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these difficulties the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. The majority of them say that they view their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether they believe they have control over it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD, including the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a larger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.