ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges the fact that gender and sexuality are based on biology, including the body's chromosomal make-up and hormones. A lot of people do not fall into the binary gender. However, gender and sex can affect how symptoms of ADHD are identified and treated.
ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood before the age of 12. Symptoms must be present before age 12 and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Trouble focusing
Inattention is the root of ADHD and is a problem that affects both genders. Women may have a difficult time focusing, especially since symptoms can appear differently than they do in males.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, as an example. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These problems can lead to an inability to focus, which can lead to an inability to perform at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss appointments with doctors.
In addition to these innate variations, hormones in women can make their ADHD symptoms worse. Females have a larger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can affect brain's functioning.
This is why women who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might have a difficult time in relationships at school, in relationships, and at work. They could also struggle with a variety of co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety eating disorders, bipolar disorder.
This is why it's critical for health care professionals to be aware of the various clues that females with ADHD often show. They must recalibrate their approaches to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to account for hormonal fluctuations, emotional dysregulation and other factors that can influence symptom severity. Patients can then receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they are interacting with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is linked to a variety of negative life results. This can include low self-esteem, coexisting depression and anxiety and a strained relationship with a partner which can lead to conflicts between partners, problems with relationships, a messy home or personal space, an inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
The gender stereotypes of women can influence the way women with ADHD are treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or prone to mood swings. This can increase their frustration about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, also known as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means they have a difficult time making decisions and executing their intentions. This could cause you to want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from medications that help them control their tendency to be impulsive. Stimulants like amphetamine (Adderall) and dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) can aid in reduce impulsive behavior, while nonstimulant medications such as the guanfacine and clonidine are effective too. People with ADHD might also benefit from a treatment called behavioral therapy, which helps to change their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping techniques.
A good night's sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing meditation can also help in reducing impulsiveness and restlessness in people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to track their symptoms throughout the day, and share this information with their doctor to determine whether the treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue for people suffering from ADHD and can impact their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They could also miss deadlines or feel overwhelmed every day.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and isolated because of this. Friends and family may be confused about their feelings. Disorders are more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
It is not uncommon for women to cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform with the norms of society and avoid being judged. This can lead to self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially during adolescence, when symptoms become more apparent.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This can impact their career, grades or their overall image. It can also create problems for their personal lives. For example it could lead to difficulties with romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization can receive one-on-one assistance by a non-judgmental therapist. They can help them learn strategies to keep their lives organized, such as making a list of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating smaller meals throughout the day to maintain stable energy levels, and avoiding caffeine which can increase the negative effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. Indecisiveness is measured by various instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to employ worst-case scenario thinking, in which people perceive ambiguous situations as threatening. women and adhd is also believed to be associated with the fear of being wrong, which may help explain why it's common for people suffering from adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions about their personal and professional lives. They struggled to find an occupation they enjoyed or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They frequently were dependent on others to make decisions or were unable complete tasks on their own, like organizing childcare. They felt that their ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing or beginning projects were holding them back.
They struggled to maintain friendships and were unable to relax which led to issues with their mental health. They described having high levels of stress and anxiety as well as an inability to sleep, and poor nutrition. They also felt stigmatized by the media and adults. The diagnosis of ADHD offered them an explanation for their difficulties which was beneficial to their self-image because it meant they were not blamed for their condition. Additionally, it gave them access to appropriate treatment strategies.
The interviews revealed that the women were extremely positive however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Lack of self-esteem
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they feel that these symptoms are less acceptable for men and boys. Women who suffer from ADHD may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in low self-esteem, which could contribute to depression, anxiety or eating disorders.
A high sense of inner worth is the precursor to better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who do not have a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves for validation, such as jobs, relationships money, power, and relationships. Therapist licensed Cheryl Clarke says this can also cause an absence of communication in relationships, which could eventually end it.
Women who suffer from ADHD may also feel that they do not deserve good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire to please or "keep up" with other people. This can cause toxic workplaces as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substances or food.
While these are major challenges but the women who participated in this study discovered many positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either a blessing or a curse according to the way they perceive their ability to control it. Some have identified personal strengths they believe are due to their ADHD. They have high energy, creativity and determination, as well as the ability to quickly become fascinated by new subjects. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that includes family and cultural issues, as well as biological and gender differences.