ADHD Traits in Women
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are a reflection of biology, the hormones and chromosomal makeup of the body, and that many people don't fit into a sex binary. However, sex and gender can influence the way symptoms of ADHD are diagnosed and treated.
ADHD is typically diagnosed in the early years of childhood, before the age of 12. ADHD must show signs before 12 years of age and cause problems in more than one environment to be eligible for a diagnosis.
1. Problems with Focusing
Inattention is at the core of ADHD and is a problem that affects both women and men. 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 disorganized and indecisive, for example. They are also more likely than men to be emotionally afflicted and have a difficult time putting things in perspective. These issues can lead to an inability of concentration and can result in an absence of productivity at work or at home. They are also more likely to not remember their medication or miss doctor's appointments.
In addition to these inherent differences, women's hormones can make their ADHD symptoms more severe. The female hippocampus is larger which helps in memory and learning. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopausal cycles can influence brain function.
Women with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle with their relationships, at school and at work. They may also have multiple comorbid disorders, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
It is crucial that health care professionals recognize the many signs females suffering from ADHD display. They should rethink their approaches to diagnosing and treating women suffering from ADHD to take into account emotional dysregulation, hormonal fluctuations and other factors that affect the severity of symptoms. This way, patients will finally receive the treatment they require.
2. Impulsivity
Women who suffer from ADHD often struggle to control their emotions. This is especially true when they interact with others. This can cause emotional dysregulation, which is a major aspect of ADHD symptoms and is associated with many negative life consequences. 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, inability to manage time or money and a messy home.
Gender stereotypes can affect the way women with ADHD will be treated. They could be misunderstood as they are viewed as being more sensitive or susceptible to mood swings. This can cause them to feel more frustrated about living with untreated ADHD.
The impulse control portion of the brain, known as the prefrontal cortex, is impaired in individuals with ADHD. This means they are more difficult to make decisions and following through with their intentions. This could make you want to take a bite more cake or to make a snide comment.
For people who suffer from ADHD medication can assist to increase their ability to manage their behavior. Stimulants such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine may reduce the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulants like clonidine and 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 coping techniques.
Meditation, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help control the impulsiveness and restlessness of 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 or not their treatment is working.
3. Disorganization
Disorganization is a typical issue for people suffering from ADHD, and can affect their professional and personal lives. They may have trouble to complete their tasks and their productivity could be diminished. They might also fail to meet deadlines and feel overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Insanity can also make it difficult to maintain healthy relationships. People may forget important dates or lose things like keys or purses. They might feel lonely and isolated as a result. Friends and family members may misunderstand their feelings. Disorganization is more common in menopausal and perimenopausal women when hormones change and symptoms are increasing.
Women often mask their ADHD symptoms to fit into societal norms or to avoid being judged. adhd symptoms for women can lead women to blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. It can also be a reason why girls and women are typically not diagnosed with ADHD particularly in adolescence where symptoms become more apparent.
Women who are not treated for ADHD may have poor performance at school or at work. This could negatively impact their work, grades, or their image. It can also create problems for their personal life. For instance, it may lead to problems with their romantic partners or strained relationships with family members and friends.
Women with chronic disorganization could benefit from one-on-one help by a non-judgmental therapist. They can assist women in learning to stay organized by creating an agenda and setting reminders. Additionally, a certified mental health professional can recommend medication and lifestyle changes to help minimize ADHD symptoms. This could include eating smaller, frequent meals to maintain energy levels and avoiding caffeine which can trigger side effects from stimulant medications.
4. Indecisiveness
Indecisiveness is a characteristic that can affect decision-making across a wide range of aspects of life. There are a variety of instruments that have been created to measure indecisiveness, including the Decision Behaviors Inventory (Barkley-Levenson and Fox) and the Indecisiveness Scale. Indecisiveness is also associated with neuroticism and the tendency to think of worst-case scenarios. This is when people interpret ambiguous circumstances as dangerous. It was also found to be related to the fear of making a mistake which could be the reason people suffering from adhd have difficulty making decisions.
In the qualitative study on adult women with adhd interviewed the participants said they were not capable of making decisions regarding their personal and professional lives. They had a difficult time finding the job they wanted or stayed in, and also found it difficult to manage their finances, relationships and health. They often waited for others to make decisions, or were unable to finish projects such as scheduling childcare. They often felt like they were held back by their ADHD symptoms, like difficulties with getting started or staying focused and impulsive.
They had trouble in establishing and maintaining friendships, which led to mental health problems. They described stress and anxiety, as well as a sleeping insufficiently and having inadequate nutrition. They also expressed feeling slighted by the media and adults. They were able explain their struggles with ADHD and helped boost their self-esteem as they were not blaming themselves. Additionally, it gave them access to treatment strategies that were appropriate.
The interviews revealed that women were very optimistic however, they struggled to overcome the effects of ADHD on different aspects of their lives. These included a lack possibilities for romance or work as well as difficulties maintaining relationships. a messy home.
5. Insecurity about oneself
Some of the signs that comprise ADHD are viewed as less socially acceptable for girls and women than they are for males and females Some women choose to hide their hyperactivity, impulsivity and disorganization. They may also internalize their ADHD symptoms and develop coping mechanisms such as self-harm (cutting or burning, or scratching). This can cause feelings of self-esteem issues which can lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
Having high inner worth is a precursor to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. If people do not have a strong 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. Cheryl Clarke, a licensed psychotherapist, says this can also result in a lack in communication within the relationship.
Women with ADHD may also feel they don't deserve the best things in their lives. These feelings may manifest as a desire for others to "keep up" or to please. This can cause toxic workplaces, a negative self-image, and a dependence on substance or food.
Despite these significant challenges the women who participated in this study discovered a number of positive aspects to living with ADHD. They generally describe their ADHD as a blessing or a curse, based on whether they believe they can control it. A few of them also point out their own strengths that they believe are partly due to their ADHD which include the ability to be creative, high energy determination and the ability to get easily interested in new topics. In addition, they describe their unique challenges as part of a larger picture that encompasses family and cultural issues, as in addition to gender and biological differences.