ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related to biology, the body's chromosomal makeup and hormones--and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before the age of 12 and cause problems in multiple environments to qualify for a diagnoses.
1. Difficulty Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a difficult to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They also are more likely to be emotionally triggered and struggle to put things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability to focus, which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to forget their medication and skip doctor's appointments.
The hormones of women along with these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. The hippocampus of females is larger which helps with memory and learning. Menstrual hormone fluctuations as well as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal changes can also affect brain function.
Women who are not diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They might also suffer from multiple comorbid disorders, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is essential that health professionals understand the many clues females with ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other variables that influence the severity of symptoms. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Females with ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with other people. This can cause to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It is also associated with negative outcomes in life. This can include low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, problematic romantic relationships which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are frequently perceived as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings, they may be viewed as overly emotional. This can increase their frustration about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a harder time making decisions and sticking in their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make a snide comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from medication that helps them control their impulses. Stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce the impulsive behavior, and non-stimulant drugs like the guanfacine and clonidine are effective as well. People suffering from ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which helps them change their thinking patterns and develop better coping techniques.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough sleep can all help control anxiety and impulsiveness among people suffering from ADHD. It's also a good idea to track their symptoms throughout the day and to share the information with their doctor to determine if their treatment plan is effective.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and impact their professional and personal life. It may take them longer to complete tasks and decrease their productivity. They could also be late and become overwhelmed on a daily basis.
An absence of organization could make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose possessions such as keys or purses. signs of add in adult women might feel lonely and isolated because of this. They can also feel misunderstood by family members and friends. It is more difficult to organize in menopausal or perimenopausal women, when hormones change and symptoms increase.
Women often hide their ADHD symptoms to conform to social norms or to avoid being judged. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It could also be a reason why women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially in adolescence when symptoms are more obvious.
As a result, women with untreated ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can negatively impact their work, grades, or even their reputation. It can also create problems for their personal life. For example it can cause difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can benefit from one-on-one help from a nonjudgmental support person. They can help women learn to stay organized by making an agenda and setting reminders. A licensed mental health professional may also suggest medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating small meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can worsen the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of our lives. Indecisiveness can be measured with various instruments, such as the Decision Behaviors Inventory by 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 threat. It has also been found to be correlated with anxiety about being wrong, which could be the reason why it is common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study of women who have adhd in their adult lives participants, they described being not able to make decisions in their work and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or to stay in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances as well as their relationships and health. They often waited for other people to decide or were unable to finish projects on their own, for example, scheduling childcare. They often felt that they were being held back by their ADHD symptoms, for example, difficulty with starting or staying focused and impulsivity.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax and recharging their mental health. They reported high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleep and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by media and adults. They were able to articulate their struggles with ADHD which helped them improve their self-esteem because they weren't blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that the women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on various aspects of their lives. These included a lack of romantic or career opportunities as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Some of the symptoms that comprise ADHD are considered to be less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for men and boys and so women may are able to hide their impulsivity, hyperactivity and disorder. They also may be able to internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping strategies such as self-harm (cutting burns, scratching, cutting). This can result in feelings of self-esteem loss that can cause anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A sense of inner worth is the foundation for better relationships and a positive outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look outside themselves for validation, like relationships, careers money, power, and relationships. A licensed therapist Cheryl Clarke says this can cause a lack of communication in a relationship, which can ultimately end it.
Women with ADHD may also feel they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings can manifest themselves as a desire to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in an unhealthy work environment, a negative body image and a dependence on food or other substances.
Despite these difficulties However, the women who took part in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They generally identify their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they feel they have control over it. A few of them also point out personal strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity, determination and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes gender and biological distinctions, as well as cultural and family issues.