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 don't fall into a binary of sex. However, sex and gender influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, usually before the age of 12. The symptoms must be present prior to 12 years of age and cause difficulties in more than one setting to be eligible for the diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the heart of ADHD and can affect both men and women. Women may have a harder to concentrate, particularly because symptoms can manifest differently than they do in men.
Women are more likely than men to be unorganized and impulsive, for instance. They also are more likely to experience emotional stress and struggle to put things into perspective. These issues can cause an inability of concentration which can lead to an absence of productivity at work or at home. They're also more likely to miss doctor appointments and forget to take their medications.
Women's hormones, in addition to these inherent differences, can cause ADHD symptoms. Females have a bigger hippocampus, which aids in memory and learning, and hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopausal cycles can affect brain's function.
In the end, women who do not have a diagnosis of ADHD can have major struggles in relationships at school, in relationships as well as at work. They might also struggle with a myriad of comorbid disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
It is important that health professionals are aware of the numerous signs that females with ADHD display. They need to rethink their approach to diagnosing and treating women with ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that influence the severity of symptoms. That way, these patients will receive the treatment they need.
2. Impulsivity
Females suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty controlling their emotions, especially when they interact with others. This can result in emotional dysregulation which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with a range of negative life consequences. This includes low self-esteem, anxiety and depression as well as problematic relationships with loved ones, which can lead to conflict between partners, issues with friendships, a messy house or personal space, inability to manage time or money, and a messy house.
Gender stereotypes may also impact how women who suffer from ADHD are treated. Because they are often considered to be more sensitive or prone to mood swings, they can be misinterpreted or dismissed as being emotionally prone. This can exacerbate their frustrations about being a victim of untreated ADHD.
People with ADHD have a reduced ability to control impulses, also known as the prefrontal cortex. This means they have a harder time making decisions and executing in their intentions. This can make you want to indulge in more cake or make an inappropriate comment.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from medication that helps them manage their impulses. The use of stimulants such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine can reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants such as clonidine or Guanfacine are also effective. Patients with ADHD might also benefit from behavioral therapy, which can help them alter their mental patterns and develop more effective strategies for coping.
Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, and meditating can also help to control the impulsiveness and restlessness of people with ADHD. It is also a great idea to monitor their symptoms throughout the day, and then share this information with their physician to determine whether or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a frequent issue in people with ADHD, and can affect their personal and professional life. They may have difficulty to complete tasks and their productivity could be reduced. They could also miss deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
A lack of organization can make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. add women may not remember important dates or even lose items like keys or purses. Consequently, they may feel lonely and isolated. They may also feel that they are not understood by their family and friends. The disorder is more prevalent in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones are changing and symptoms increase.
Women often cover up their ADHD symptoms in order to conform to the norms of society or to avoid being judged. This can result in self-blame and feelings of shame or guilt. It could also be the reason women and girls are often not diagnosed with ADHD especially during adolescence, when symptoms are more obvious.
In the end women who are not treated for ADHD may have trouble with their academic or work performance. This can affect their job, grades, or their overall image. It can also cause problems in their personal lives including issues with their romantic partners or the strain of relationships with friends and family members.
Women with chronic disorganization can get help one-on-one from a nonjudgmental support person. They can provide strategies to stay organized, such as making an agenda of the daily tasks and creating reminders for them. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can suggest medication and lifestyle changes to reduce ADHD symptoms. This may include eating small frequent meals to keep energy levels up and avoiding caffeine, which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness influences decision-making in a variety of aspects of our lives. A variety of instruments have been developed to assess indecisiveness. These include the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also linked to neuroticism, as well as the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios. This is because people perceive ambiguous situations as threat. It has also been proven to be associated with anxiety about being wrong, which could help explain why it is common for people with adhd to struggle with making decisions.
In the study of qualitative research on adult women suffering from adhd who were interviewed the participants said they were not in a position to make decisions regarding their professional and personal lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or to stay in, and found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships, and health. They often were dependent on others to make decisions for them, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were being hindered by their ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in starting, staying focused and impulsivity.
They had difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships which resulted in mental health issues. They described anxiety and stress, sleep deprivation and inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling devalued by their peers and the media. The diagnosis of ADHD gave them a reason for their difficulties, which was helpful for self-esteem because it meant they were not blaming themselves. It also provided them with access to the appropriate treatment.
The interviews revealed that women had many positive qualities however, they were struggling to overcome the impact of their ADHD symptoms on a variety of aspects of their life. This included a lack of possibilities for romance or work and difficulties in maintaining relationships. an unclean home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Women may conceal their impulsivity and hyperactivity because they believe that these symptoms are less acceptable for boys and men. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms like self-harm (cutting, burning, scratching). This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem that can cause anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
A strong sense of self-esteem and worth is the basis for better relationships and an optimistic outlook on life. People who lack self-worth tend to look beyond themselves to find validation, including careers, relationships, money, and power. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed therapist, suggests that this can also lead to a lack in communication within the relationship.
Women with ADHD may also feel that they are not worthy of good things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up with" or to please. This can result in a toxic work culture as well as a negative image of one's body and an addiction to food or other substances.
Despite these major difficulties However, the women who took part in this study discovered a number of positive aspects of living with ADHD. They described ADHD as either positive or negative depending on the way they perceive their ability to control it. Many of them also recognize their own strengths that they believe are due to their ADHD, including high energy, creativity determination, and the ability to get easily interested in new subjects. They also talk about their unique struggles in the context of an overall picture that includes biological and gender differences, as well cultural and family issues.