ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender refer to biology--the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people do not fit into a sex binary. Gender and sexes can impact the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood prior to the age of 12. ADHD symptoms must be present before 12 years of age and cause problems in multiple environments to be able to receive a diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may find it more challenging to attain the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically manifest in different ways in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They're also more likely to be emotionally triggered and have trouble putting things into perspective. These issues can lead to an inability to concentrate on work, which can lead to a decrease in productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and miss appointments with their doctor.
The hormones that women experience as well as these natural differences, can contribute to ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, and hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can affect their brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may struggle in their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
For these reasons, it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the various indications that females with ADHD often show. They should rethink their strategies for diagnosing and treating females suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. In this way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females who suffer from ADHD are often unable to managing their emotions, particularly when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major element of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life results. This includes low self-esteem, co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult relationships which can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble with friends and a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes can also influence the way women who suffer from ADHD are treated. They might be misunderstood since they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone a mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is impaired in people suffering from ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and following through with their intentions. This could cause you to want to indulge in more cake or make a rude comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medications that help them control their tendency to be impulsive. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce impulsive behavior. Nonstimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine can also be effective. Behavioral therapy is also advised, which will help those suffering from ADHD alter their thinking patterns and learn more effective ways of coping.
Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating can also help in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and share this information with their physician to assess whether their treatment plan is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their personal and professional life. It could take them longer to complete tasks and reduce their productivity. They may also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Inability to organize can cause problems in maintaining healthy relationships. People may forget important events or lose things like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and alone. They may also feel that they are not understood by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women as hormones alter and symptoms intensify.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of guilt or shame. It could also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD, particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more evident.
As a result women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their work or school performance. This can have a negative impact on their career, grades, or reputation. This could also cause issues for their personal lives. For instance it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can teach women how to stay organized by making a list and establishing reminders. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend changes in lifestyle and medications to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can cause adverse effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness can affect decision-making in many aspects of life. Indecisiveness can be measured using various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the Indecisiveness scale. Indecisiveness has also been linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is when people perceive ambiguous situations as dangerous. It was also found to be linked to a fear of making a mistake which could explain why people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women with adhd the participants reported being incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. adhd traits in women struggled to find the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions, or were unable complete projects such as organizing childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects was preventing them from completing.
They struggled to maintain relationships and had trouble relaxing which led to issues with their mental health. They described high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD, which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming others. It also gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic, but struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD in different areas of their lives. The women complained of an absence in their careers or romantic opportunities, issues maintaining relationships and a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women can conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these behaviors aren't as acceptable for men and boys. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can lead to lower self-esteem and could cause anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the precursor to more positive relationships and a positive outlook on life. If someone isn't feeling a solid sense of self-worth and feel they are not worthy, they will seek outside things - including relationships, careers as well as wealth and power to feel worthy. Licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can result in an absence of communication in a relationship, which can eventually end it.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in life. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can result in toxic workplace cultures and a negative self-image and a dependence on food or substances.
Despite these issues However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects to living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a gift or a curse, depending on whether they believe they can control it. Some of them have identified their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination as well as the ability to effortlessly become fascinated by new subjects. In addition, they describe their unique struggles as part of a bigger picture that encompasses cultural and family issues, as also gender and biological differences.