ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the hormonal makeup of the body and its chromosomal makeup. It also acknowledges that many people don't fit into a sex binary. Genre and gender can influence how ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the primary cause of ADHD, and it's an issue for everyone. Women might have a harder time to get the focus they require due to the fact that symptoms usually manifest differently in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotional and struggle to put things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medication.
In addition to these inherent variations, hormones in women can make ADHD symptoms more severe. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in learning and memory. Menstrual hormone fluctuations or pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
As a result, women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in their relationships as well as at work. They could also struggle with a variety of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
In these circumstances, it is crucial for health care professionals to recognize the many indications that females with ADHD often show. They need to rethink their methods for diagnosing and treating females with ADHD to recognize hormonal fluctuations and emotional dysregulation. This way, patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often have trouble controlling their emotions. This is especially the case when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, depression that is co-occurring with anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can result in intimate partner violence, problems with friends and a messy home or personal space, and an inability to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women who suffer from ADHD will be treated. Because they are frequently considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they may be misinterpreted or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD have impaired impulse control which is also referred to as the prefrontal cortex. This means that they have more trouble making decisions and following through with their intentions. This makes it difficult to resist the urge to eat a second piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulsivity. stimulants like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Patients with ADHD may also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which can help them change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their doctor in order to assess whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization can be a major issue for those suffering from ADHD and affect their professional and personal life. They may have difficulty to complete their tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also be late or overwhelmed each day.
An absence of organization could also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated due to this. Friends and family members may be confused about their feelings. Disorganization can be worse during menopausal and perimenopausal cycles, when hormones change and symptoms intensify.
It is not unusual for women to mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with society's norms and avoid being considered a failure. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. This could be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence where symptoms are more obvious.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may not perform as well at school or at work. This could affect their work, grades or overall standing. This can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strain relationships with family and friends.
Women who are constantly disorganized will benefit from the one-on-1 support of a non-judgmental friend. They can help them learn strategies to get and keep their lives organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and making reminders for them. A qualified mental health professional may recommend medication or lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to ensure energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects of stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness affects decision-making in many aspects of our lives. Several instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness has also been associated with neuroticism and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as being dangerous. It is also believed to be linked with a fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not able to make choices about their professional and personal lives. They struggled to manage their finances and relationships, and had trouble finding an occupation they liked. They frequently had to wait for others to decide or were unable to finish tasks on their own, like scheduling childcare. attention deficit disorder in women believed that their ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsivity or difficulty getting started on projects was preventing them from completing.
They had difficulty relaxing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also reported feeling snubbed by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their struggles, which was helpful for self-esteem since it meant they weren't blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that the women were very positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of a lack in career or romantic opportunities, problems maintaining relationships, and a messy house.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women might cover up their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these behaviors aren't as acceptable than for boys and men. Women who suffer from ADHD might internalize their ADHD and adopt coping strategies such as self-harming (cutting, burning or scratching). This can lead to feelings of self-esteem issues that contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
Being able to identify your inner worth is a key factor in better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers as well as money and power. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause an absence of communication within relationships, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD might also feel they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body, and an addiction to food or substances.
Despite these major challenges However, the women who took part in this study found many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either positive or negative depending on how they feel about their ability to control it. Some have identified strengths they believe are a result of to their ADHD. These include the ability to be creative, energetic and determination, as well as the ability to easily get interested in new subjects. They also talk about their individual struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.