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 fall into a binary of sex. Sexe and gender can affect the way ADHD symptoms are treated and diagnosed.
ADHD is diagnosed in the early years of childhood, typically before the age of 12. ADHD must present symptoms before 12 years of age 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 men and women. But women may find it more challenging to get the focus they need particularly since symptoms typically appear in different ways than in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They're also more likely to experience emotional stress and have difficulty putting things in perspective. These issues can cause an inability to concentrate on tasks, leading to a decrease in productivity at work or home. They are also more likely to skip doctor appointments and neglect to take their medications.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. Females have a bigger hippocampus that aids in learning and memory, as well as hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can affect their brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school, and at work. They might also struggle with a host of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They need to rethink their methods to diagnose and treat females suffering from ADHD to recognize emotional dysregulation and hormonal fluctuations. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Women with ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions. This is particularly true when they are interacting with other people. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, which is a component of ADHD symptoms. It can also be associated with negative outcomes in life. These include poor self-esteem, depression and anxiety, difficult relationships that can result in violence between intimate partners, issues with friendships as well as a messy home or personal space, and a failure to manage time or money.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women with ADHD are treated. They may be misunderstood because they are thought to be more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can lead to their frustration at living with untreated ADHD.
The part of the brain that controls impulses the brain, referred to as the prefrontal cortex is affected in people with ADHD. This means that they are more difficult to make decisions and executing their intentions. This can make it hard to resist the urge to eat another piece of cake or make an inappropriate comment in public.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them control their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine are able to reduce the behavior of impulsivity. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. People with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help to change their thinking patterns and develop better strategies for coping.
Meditation and eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting enough rest can all be helpful in reducing the impulsiveness and restlessness of people suffering from ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day and to share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a common issue for those suffering from ADHD and can affect their professional and personal life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They may also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Lack of organization can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. They might forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They may feel lonely and unloved because of this. Family and friends may also confuse their feelings. It is more difficult to organize during perimenopause and menopause as hormones alter and symptoms become more severe.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to social norms or to avoid being thought of as a problem. This can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It may be a reason for why women and girls are not diagnosed with ADHD. This is particularly during adolescence, when symptoms are more apparent.
Women who suffer from untreated ADHD might have a poor performance at work or in school. This can have a negative impact on their career, grades, or even their reputation. attention deficit disorder in women can also cause problems for their personal lives. For example it can cause problems with their romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can teach them strategies to stay organized, such as making lists of daily tasks and creating reminders for them. In addition, a qualified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This can include eating small, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects of stimulant medication.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is one of the traits that can affect decision-making in a variety of areas of life. Indecisiveness is measured by several instruments, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory by Barkley-Levenson and Fox and the scale for Indecisiveness. Indecisiveness can also be linked to neuroticism and the tendency to use worst case scenario thinking, where people perceive ambiguous situations as potentially dangerous. It was also discovered to be associated with a fear of making a mistake, which could be the reason people with adhd have trouble making decisions.
In the qualitative study of adult women suffering from adhd the participants reported being incapable of making decisions in their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding an occupation they enjoyed or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often had to wait for others to make decisions for them, or were unable complete projects such as arranging childcare. They believed that their ADHD symptoms like the inability to focus and impulsivity, or starting projects were preventing them from progressing.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health problems. They described anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by media and adults. adhd traits in women of ADHD provided them with a reason for their difficulties which was beneficial for self-image because it meant they weren't blamed for their own problems. They also had access to appropriate treatments.
The interviews revealed that women were very positive and able to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack of possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Lack of Self-Esteem
Some of the signs that are a part of ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for women and girls than they are for boys and men, so some women hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorder. Some women may internalize their ADHD and develop coping strategies like self-harming (cutting or burning). This can result in feelings of low self-esteem that contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A high self-esteem is a precursor to healthier relationships and a better outlook on life. People who lack a strong self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including relationships, careers, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can lead to an absence of communication within the relationship.
Women suffering from ADHD may also feel that they don't deserve the best things in their lives. These feelings can manifest as a desire to please or to "keep up" with other people. This can result in toxic workplace cultures as well as a negative self-image and a dependence on substance or food.
Despite these major issues the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. Most of them say that they view their ADHD as a gift 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 a result of to their ADHD such as high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to become easily interested in new topics. They also discuss their individual struggles as part of a larger picture that includes cultural and family issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.